Clinical Impact of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy in the Management of Paragangliomas of the Head and Neck

Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumors expressing soma-tostatinergic receptors and, thus, may be imaged by soma-tostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS). The purpose of the study was to assess the contribution of SRS in the management of paraganglioma of the head and neck. Methods: 111In-Pente-treotide (148 MBq) was intravenously administered to 3 groups of patients. Group A consisted of 9 patients with tumors of the head and neck that did not exhibit typical radiologic features of paragangliomas and required further diagnostic evaluation. Group B consisted of 28 patients with known paragangliomas or paraganglioma metastatic lymph node who required staging and assessment of multicentricity. Group C consisted of 5 asymptomatic relatives of affected individuals who required screening. All patients underwent clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and audiovestibular evaluation. Results: In group A (n 9), SR