Scintigraphic localization of pheochromocytoma

Journal Article · Thu Jul 02 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · New Engl. J. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198107023050103· OSTI ID:5706946

Sisson, J C; Frager, M S; Valk, T W; Gross, M D; Swanson, D P; Wieland, D M; Tobes, M C; Beierwaltes, W H; Thompson, N W

We used a new radiopharmaceutical agent, (/sup 131/I)meta-iodobenzylguanidine ((/sup 131/I)MIBG), to produce scintigraphic images of pheochromocytomas in eight patients. One day or more after injection, the only normal organ that displayed distinct concentrations of radioactivity was the urinary bladder. The (/sup 131/I)MIBG was probably concentrated in adrenergic vesicles; in tissues where vesicles are numerous, such as pheochromocytomas, the radionuclide was retained for days. The spectrum of pheochromocytomas shown the scintigrams was broad: intra-adrenal and extraadrenal in location, benign and malignant in character, 0.2 to 65 g in weight, and with different hormone patterns in secretion. Tumors in four patients were not detected by computed tomography. In one patient, reoperation was undertaken only because the scintigram located the extra-adrenal tumors and thereby directed the surgeon's exploration. The method offers hope of safe and reliable localization of pheochromocytomas in their many guises.

• OSTI ID: 5706946
• Journal Information: New Engl. J. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: New Engl. J. Med.; (United States) Vol. 305:1; ISSN NEJMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
550901 -- Pathology-- Tracer Techniques
551001 -- Physiological Systems-- Tracer Techniques
560171 -- Radiation Effects-- Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ADRENAL GLANDS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION
BODY
CARBONIC ACID DERIVATIVES
CARCINOMAS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSTIC USES
DISEASES
DRUGS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
GUANIDINES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODINE 131
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS
SCINTISCANNING
USES