Limited role of meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy in imaging phaeochromocytoma in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II.
OBJECTIVE
To compare diagnostic applicability of combined computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with that of meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy in the preoperative localisation of MEN II related phaeochromocytoma.


METHODS
Retrospective study


METHODS
University hospital, The Netherlands.


METHODS
17 patients with MEN II patients (33 adrenal glands) who were operated on for phaeochromocytoma. MIBG scintigraphy, CT and MRI were used to localize phaeochromocytoma. Histopathologically, an adrenomedullary lesion more than 1 cm in size was classified as a phaeochromocytoma.


METHODS
Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of combined CT and MRI and MIBG scintigraphy, compared with histopathological findings.


RESULTS
Sensitivity of combined CT and MRI (27 adrenal glands) was 87%, with a specificity of 100% and a diagnostic accuracy of 89%. MIBG scintigraphy (31 adrenal glands) had a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of only 17%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 77%.


CONCLUSIONS
If unilateral adrenalectomy is done when only one adrenal gland contains a phaeochromocytoma, then MRI should be the method of choice for localising MEN type II related phaeochromocytoma. MIBG scintigraphy can be restricted to those patients in whom MRI does not show a tumour.
De Graaf
J S
JS
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Dullaart
R P
RP
Kok
T
T
Piers
D A
DA
Zwierstra
R P
RP
D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018813:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018814:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine