Olfactory esthesioneuroblastoma: scintigraphic expression of somatostatin receptors

Esthesioneuroblastoma is an uncommon tumor originating in the upper nasal cavity and constitutes 3% of all intranasal neoplasms. Few references exist about the expression of somatostatin receptors in these tumors. Our case demonstrates a good correlation between the somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging.     

In-111 octreotide scan in a case of a neuroendocrine tumor of unknown origin

Major neuroendocrine tumors contain many somatostatin receptors. This feature allows for the localization of primary tumors and tumor metastases by scintigraphy with the radiolabeled somatostatin analog octreotide. We describe a patient with nonspecific clinical data and ultrasonography and CT that showed an isolated focal lesion in the liver. In-111 octreotide scintigraphy was essential in establishing the diagnosis of liver metastasis from a neuroendocrine tumor confirmed by pathologic findings. Because clinical symptoms recurred, ultrasonography and CT were performed a few months after surgery. Both were negative. However, In-111 octreotide scintigraphy suggested multiple bone metastases and established the diagnosis of bone metastases from a neuroendocrine tumor, which was confirmed by Tc-99m MDP bone scans and MRI.     

Unsuspected idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis complicating coronary bypass operation

A 66-year-old woman was referred for coronary bypass operation to the left anterior descending and the circumflex arteries. She had a systemic inflammatory process of unknown origin. On opening the pericardium, fibrotic plaques encircling the entire ascending aorta were found. Aortic cannulation and proximal anastomosis of the planned vein graft were impossible. The right internal mammary was anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery, the left to the obtuse marginal after femoral arterial cannulation. Pathologic examination revealed idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis.