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For Clinicians

Octreotide Case 1 Answers

4) Name 3 indications for its use

The indications for octreotide imaging are as follows

Carcinoid. Sensitivity is quoted at 86-96% and it is more sensitive than anatomical techniques for finding occult primary tumours and detecting metastases. It is also used for detecting octreotide uptake before octreotide therapy.
Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine tumours. VIPoma, gastrinoma, glucagonoma and non-functioning islet-cell tumours are reasonably reliably imaged (79% sensitivity) whereas insulinomas are not. Lesions up to 4mm may be detected but CT / MRI of the liver is advised to avoid missing small masked liver lesions.
Paragangliomas, phaeochromocytomas & neuroblastomas. With a sensitivity of 70-90%, octreotide imaging may detect some tumours not visualized on MIBG imaging and vice versa.

Sensitivity is quoted at 75-100% for detection of other tumours and granulomatous disease but octreotide imaging is not routinely used probably due to cost (~£650 per ampoule).

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The text is entirely the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect that of RUH NHS Trust or the Bristol Radiology Training Scheme. Website content devised by Paul McCoubrie.