Roentgenologic diagnosis of primary corticotropin-producing carcinoid tumors of the mediastinum

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.142.1.6273965· OSTI ID:5573731

Brown, L R; Aughenbaugh, G L; Wick, M R; Baker, B A; Salassa, R M

A study was undertaken of five patients with Cushing syndrome due to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) production by thymic carcinoid tumor (primary mediastinal Apudomas), including two recent patients examined by computed tomography (CT) of the chest. Plain roentgenography of the chest initially failed to detect tumor in four of the five patients, while CT of the chest yielded definitive diagnostic information in both patients in whom it was employed. For one of these patients, a mediastinal tumor could be seen retrospectively on plain roentgenograms of the chest, although it had been missed on the first examination. One of the tumors appeared to be partially calcified on CT scan, a finding not previously reported. Blastic osseous metastasis, which is common when malignant carcinoid tumors spread to bone, was seen in one patient. Our data suggest that in patients with suspected ectopic ACTH production, CT scanning of the mediastinum should be performed early in order to avoid delay in diagnosis of an ACTH-secreting carcinoid tumor of the mediastinum.

• Research Organization: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
• OSTI ID: 5573731
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 142:1; ISSN RADLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEST
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
CUSHING SYNDROME
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE DISEASES
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
MEDIASTINU
MEDIASTINUM
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIOLOGY
THYMUS
TOMOGRAPHY