False-positive In-111 DTPA octreotide scintigraphy resulting from lung abscess in a patient with metastatic neuroendocrine pancreatic neoplasm.

We present a case of a neuroendocrine pancreatic neoplasm with liver metastases visualized by computed tomography and In-111 DTPA octreotide scintigraphy. Ten months after surgery and chemotherapy, new radiologic and scintigraphic images compatible with lung metastases were found. The histopathologic analysis demonstrated that those findings were secondary to lung abscesses, which improved after antibiotic therapy. In-111 DTPA octreotide scintigraphy false-positive results in granulomatous and infectious processes are related to the expression of somatostatin membrane receptor (SSTR2A) in activated monocytes. This must be considered in the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients are related to the expression of somatostatin membrane receptor (SSTR2A) in activated monocytes. This must be considered in the diagnosis and follow up of these patients.