Expression of somatostatin receptors in arginine vasopressin hormone-secreting olfactory neuroblastoma--report of two cases.

OBJECTIVE

Arginine vasopressin hormone-secreting olfactory neuroblastomas are extremely rare, with fewer than twenty cases reported in the literature. Two of these cases, both initially presenting with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, are presented. The second tumour was successfully identified using somatostatin receptor (octreotide) radiographic scintography.

METHOD: The pathological specimens from both cases were examined immunohistochemically for somatostatin receptors.

RESULTS

Samples from both cases demonstrated positivity for somatostatin receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

This report demonstrates the potential use of somatastatin analogues in the investigation, follow-up and treatment of patients with olfactory neuroblastoma.