Open AccessMesenteric tuberculosis masquerading as carcinoid tumor on conventional imaging and DOTANOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography: Uncommon presentation of a common disease
Author(s) -
Abdul Razik,
Anand Singh,
Shambo Guha Roy,
Kumble Seetharama Madhusudhan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
indian journal of nuclear medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 0972-3919
pISSN - 0974-0244
DOI - 10.4103/ijnm.ijnm_29_19
Subject(s) - medicine , positron emission tomography , somatostatin receptor , positron emission tomography computed tomography , neuroendocrine tumors , mesentery , radiology , pathology , somatostatin
Carcinoid tumor of the mesentery has a classical imaging morphology. A specific diagnosis can often be provided on the basis of clinical history, elevated serum neuroendocrine markers, and uptake on somatostatin receptor-based radiotracer studies. Although a number of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions may mimic carcinoid tumor on many of these modalities, uptake on 68 Ga-DOTANOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is considered specific. We report a case of a 28-year-old male presenting with a mesenteric mass along with elevated serum neuroendocrine markers and uptake on DOTANOC PET/CT, all suggestive of carcinoid tumor. However, the histopathologic examination after surgical resection revealed necrotizing granulomas consistent with tuberculosis (TB). This case highlights the great masquerader that TB can be and stresses the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion for TB, especially in endemic areas.