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

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 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), Vol. 142:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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