A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Procedures to Detect Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors

The aim of this work was to assess the diagnostic yield of some clinical diagnostic procedures utilized to establish a diagnosis of midgut neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Medical databases published between 1982 and 2007 were analyzed. Seventeen observational studies, including 629 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Urinary 5-HIAA is the first test to prescribe in patients with flushing or persistent, unexplained diarrhea. Abdominal CT scan and OctreoScan should be prescribed whenever NET is suspected. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:877-888. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.