Uptake of In-111 pentetreotide by normally functioning nodular goiters

After the intravenous administration of a radiolabeled somatostatin analogue (octreotide), normal thyroid and neoplastic and nonneoplastic thyroid lesions can be visualized. The authors present the cases of two patients who underwent somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SSRS) using in- 111 pentetreotide: one for the study of suspected paraneoplastic ACTH hypersecretion, and the other for a restaging of breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine features. In both patients, SSRS revealed increased uptake in the thyroid, corresponding to 'cold' nodules on Tc-99m pertechnetate imaging. Cytologic and histologic examinations showed the typical features of thyroid goiters without lymphocytic infiltration.