Scintigraphic localization of catecholamine-secreting tumors by 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine

The results are reported on application of scintigraphy with 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (131I MIBG). Ten patients - 5 adults and 5 children were examined. In 3 adults the study was performed for being suspected of having pheochromocytoma, which later was disproved. In these patients scintigraphy showed no foci of hyperfixation of the labelling compound in the body. In the other two patients examination was performed after operative removal of malignant phaeochromocytoma. In both cases scintigraphy demonstrated local recurrence and metastases in other organs. All children in this study had histological diagnosis neuroblastoma. In 3 of them scintigraphy with 131I-MIBG demonstrated foci of enhanced radioindicator uptake, differing in number and localization - evidence for persistence of pathological process and metastatic injury to other organ. Our first results of scintigraphy with 131I-MIBG in catecholamine-secreting tumors confirm the reliability of the new nuclear method