technetium-tc-99m-medronate and Pheochromocytoma

Topics: 3-Iodobenzylguanidine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Aged; Female; Humans; Pheochromocytoma; Radiography; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Spine; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate

Topics: 3-Iodobenzylguanidine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; False Positive Reactions; Female; Humans; Hydronephrosis; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iodobenzenes; Middle Aged; Organotechnetium Compounds; Pheochromocytoma; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Succimer; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Urography

It is difficult, but important, to diagnose extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas before surgery. Failure to recognize the existence and nature of an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma can cause life-threatening problems even in a minor surgical operation. We present two rare cases of extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas which were detected by 131I-MIBG scintigraphy. One of them was intrapericardial, and the other was a vesical pheochromocytoma. We used a combined 99mTc-MDP bone scan and 131I-MIBG scintigraphy to locate the pheochromocytomas. Both cases of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma were correctly diagnosed preoperatively and successfully resected in the subsequent operations.

Topics: 3-Iodobenzylguanidine; Adult; Aged; Bone and Bones; Heart Neoplasms; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iodobenzenes; Male; Pericardium; Pheochromocytoma; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Topics: 3-Iodobenzylguanidine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Bone and Bones; Bone Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iodobenzenes; Middle Aged; Pheochromocytoma; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate

Recently 131I-MIBG (metaiodobenzylguanidine), an adrenergic tissue-localizing radiopharmaceutical, has been used for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. In a retrospective study of 32 patients with pathologically proved primary, metastatic, or recurrent pheochromocytoma, the roles of 131I-MIBG scintigraphy and computed tomography (CT) in pheochromocytoma detection were compared. The two methods were equally accurate in the identification of primary and recurrent pheochromocytoma. 131I-MIBG scanning was more accurate as the initial examination in patients with extraadrenal tumors. In patients with metastatic disease, scintigraphy was preferable to CT because of its nontomographic nature, which permitted imaging of the entire body. Although a positive MIBG scan is diagnostic of pheochromocytoma, CT of extraadrenal tumors (particularly in the chest) has been very useful in planning appropriate surgical intervention. Furthermore, the roles of 131I-MIBG scintigraphy and CT in the detection of pheochromocytoma are complementary because each method has certain limitations.

Topics: 3-Iodobenzylguanidine; Adolescent; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adult; Aged; Child; Diphosphonates; Female; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iodobenzenes; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pentetic Acid; Pheochromocytoma; Retrospective Studies; Sympatholytics; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; Tomography, X-Ray Computed