Detection of extrathoracic manifestations in sarcoidosis with somatostatin analogue scintigraphy

Background and aim of work: Scintigraphy using a long lived radiolabelled somatostatin analogue [In-111-DTPA-D-Phe(1)] - octreotide (OctreoScan(R)) has previously been shown to be useful in the detection and management of neuroendocrine tumours, as well as in the imaging of various other malignant tumours. It was recently reported that the radiopharmaceutical accumulates also in the granulomatous lesions in Wegener's disease and in sarcoidosis. The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the usefulness of the technique in detection of extrathoracic manifestations. Methods: OctreoScan(R) scintigraphy was performed in 5 patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. A patient with a familial history of multiple endocrine neoplasia served as control. Results: In 4/5 patients previously unknown granulomas were registered, and in the remaining subject the findings at the physical examination were confirmed. Conclusions: We conclude that somatostatin analogue scintigraphy may be helpful in finding extrathoracic granulomatous lesions in sarcoidosis, thus providing good prerequisites for focused biopsy attempts.