Scintigraphic imaging of pheochromocytoma by 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine

First experiences are presented with scintigraphic examination of pheochromocytoma by means of 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine. In two of the eight patients examined, the already established diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma was confirmed, in two the examination yielded confirmation of the presumed diagnosis, and in the remaining four patients the presence of the tumor was excluded. In conformity with literary data, the procedure was found to be suitable for: 1. confirming the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in cases with equivocal CT findings, 2. excluding extraadrenal activity, 3. detecting relapses or the occurrence of an extraadrenal tumor, 4. detecting unsuspected manifold endocrine neoplasias, 5. verifying the diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma, and 6. for examining patients with a family history of pheochromocytoma. (author). 3 figs., 1 tab., 17 refs