VALUE OF 1-131 MIBG SCINTIGRAPHY IN THE DETECTION AND SURVEILLANCE OF NEUROBLASTOMA

1-131 Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is an agent which accumulates within neural crest tumors and is used for diagnosis and the detection of metastases. The utility of 1-131 MIBG scintigraphy in 36 patients with neuroblastoma diagnosed in 1986-1991 were analyzed in this ,"study. Eighteen of the patients were examined with MIBG at the time of diagnosis and 25 at diagnosis and/or during follow-up; a total of 47 imagings, were included in the evaluation. Whole body bone scans in 22 patients and radiological examinations (whole body skeletal x-rays, CT scan, ultrasonography) in 36 patients were performed concomitantly. Due to its ability to visualize the tumor both in soft tissues and bone metastases, MIBG was superior to radiological methods and whole body bone scan in the localization of neuroblastoma. However, radiological examinations and whole body bone scan with Tc-99 were found to be more sensitive in the detection of bone metastases. MIBG scintigraphy was insufficient in the demonstrating bone marrow metastases.