[Pulmonary carcinoids and carcinoids of the small intestine].

clinical/methodical issuePulmonary carcinoids and carcinoids of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) are often asymptomatic and can affect various parts of the body, which makes diagnosis difficult. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL

methodsContrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) is commonly used for primary diagnostics. In case of concomitant pulmonary consolidation (e.g., atelectasis or pneumonia), tumor lesions can be obscured. In addition, differentiation between atypical (AC) and typical carcinoids (TC) is not possible using CT. Small tumors of the small intestine are easily overlooked (sensitivity: 50-85%, specificity: 25-97%, based on the literature). Additional functional imaging evaluation using hybrid imaging techniques can be applied, e.g., positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). METHODICAL INNOVATIONS/PERFORMANCE: Depending on the histological characteristics of the tumor, PET/CT scans can be performed with different tracers. Since most carcinoids (e.g., TC) express somatostatin receptors (SSR), ACHIEVEMENTS/PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Hybrid imaging with CE-CT and PET is useful to detect pulmonary carcinoids and carcinoids of the small intestine, respectively, and can be utilized for primary diagnostics and restaging.