A case of bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor: the role of octreotide scanning in localization of an ectopic source of ACTH.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary carcinoids are neuroendocrine tumors. They can present with Cushing's syndrome secondary to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion. Curative resection is possible only after adequate localization of the ectopic source. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case that illustrates the role of octreotide scanning in the management of a bronchopulmonary carcinoid. RESULTS: The use of preoperative and postoperative octreotide scanning aided in performing a limited resection, thereby preserving the lung parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that octreotide scanning can be a very important and informative test in the management of carcinoid tumors. In situations when conventional imaging is not conclusive, octreotide scanning may be of help in determining the source of ectopic ACTH syndrome.