Nucl Med Mol Imaging.  2009 Oct;43(5):436-442.

Efficacy of I-123/I-131 Metaiodobenzylguanidine Scan as A Single Initial Diagnostic Modality in Pheochromocytoma: Comparison with Biochemical Test and Anatomic Imaging

• Moon EH
• Lim ST
• Jeong YJ
• Kim DW
• Jeong HJ
• Sohn MH

Abstract

PURPOSE
We underwent this study to evaluate the diagnostic potential of I-123/I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy alone in the initial diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, compared with biochemical test and anatomic imaging. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty two patients (M:F=13:9, Age: 44.3+/- 19.3 years) having the clinical evaluation due to suspicious pheochromocytoma received the biochemical test, anatomic imaging modality (CT and/or MRI) and I-123/I-131 MIBG scan for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, prior to histopathological confirmation. MIBG scans were independently reviewed by 2 nuclear medicine physicians.
RESULTS
All patients were confirmed histopathologically by operation or biopsy (incisional or excisonal). In comparison of final diagnosis and findings of each diagnostic modality, the sensitivities of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging, and MIBG scan were 88.9%, 55.6%, and 88.9%, respectively. And the specificities of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging, and MIBG scan also were 69.2%, 69.2%, and 92.3%, respectively. MIBG scan showed one false positive (neuroblastoma) and one false negative finding. There was one patient with positive MIBG scan and negative findings of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging.
CONCLUSION
Our data suggest that I-123/I-131 MIBG scan has higher sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy than those of biochemical test and anatomic imaging. Thus, we expect that MIBG scan is e tectively used for initial diagnosis of pheochromocytoma alone as well as biochemical test and anatomic imaging.

Keyword

Pheochoromocytoma; MIBG; biochemical test; anatomic imaging

MeSH Terms

3-Iodobenzylguanidine
Biopsy
Humans
Nuclear Medicine
Pheochromocytoma
Sensitivity and Specificity
3-Iodobenzylguanidine