Localization of gastrinomas by selective intra-arterial calcium injection

Turner, J. J.O., Wren, A. M., Jackson, J. E., Thakker, R.V. and Meeran, K. (2002) Localization of gastrinomas by selective intra-arterial calcium injection. Clinical Endocrinology, 57 (6). pp. 821-825. ISSN 1365-2265

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Abstract

Background: Preoperative localisation is important for successful surgical treatment of gastrinomas. However, a satisfactory method that achieves this has not been defined, and at present somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and selective intra-arterial stimulation testing with secretin have the greatest sensitivities. As secretin is now difficult to obtain, we decided to explore the use of calcium gluconate as a secretagogue. High extracellular calcium concentrations cause degranulation of neuroendocrine cells and subsequent release of hormone. Methods: Two patients with biochemically proven gastrinomas were investigated pre-operatively. Under angiographic control calcium gluconate was injected into the arteries supplying the pancreas and duodenum, gastrin levels were then determined in hepatic vein samples obtained before and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 seconds after each injection. One of the patients had also previously undergone selective intra-arterial stimulation testing with secretin. Results: Calcium gluconate produced sharp peaks of gastrin which unequivocally localised the tumour to a specific vascular territory in each case. Furthermore, surgery confirmed the localisations of the gastrinomas. Calcium injection, unlike secretin, into vascular territories without gastrinomas caused no rise in gastrin, thereby demonstrating calcium's greater specificity. Conclusions: Calcium gluconate is a highly sensitive and specific alternative secretagogue to secretin for localisation of pancreatic and duodenal gastrinomas. Furthermore calcium gluconate was found to demonstrate the territory of the tumour more accurately than secretin.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Clinical Trials Unit
Depositing User: Rhiannon Harvey
Date Deposited: 16 May 2011 15:50
Last Modified: 12 Mar 2024 11:30
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/30629
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2002.01655.x

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