Iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy in localising phaeochromocytomas--experience and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Recommendations on the use of I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy in localising phaeochromocytomas vary. The accuracy of I-123 MIBG scintigraphy was determined by evaluating our own I-123 MIBG scans and performing a meta-analysis.


METHODS
Between January 1992 and May 2002, the I-123 MIBG scans of consecutive patients suspected of a phaeochromocytoma were re-evaluated. For the meta-analysis, studies with more than 5 I-123 MIBG scans were selected.


RESULTS
Thirty patients were evaluated. The sensitivity in our own population was 92% and the specificity was 100%. Twelve articles were selected for our meta-analysis. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 96% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for tumours in the adrenal gland was 98% for both. For tumours located outside the adrenal gland, the sensitivity was 98% and the sensitivity for malignancies was 79%.


CONCLUSIONS
1-123 MIBG scintigraphy has an excellent sensitivity and specificity in localising phaeochromocytomas, except for malignant tumours. 1-123 MIBG scintigraphy is superior in localising tumours outside the adrenal gland.
Van Der Horst-Schrivers
Anouk N A
AN
Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.n.a.van.der.horst@int.umcg.nl
Jager
Pieter L
PL
Boezen
H Marike
HM
Schouten
Jan P
JP
Kema
Ido P
IP
Links
Thera P
TP
D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine