title: Unexpected detection of nodular melanoma of the skin on the scalp by I-123 IBZM brain SPECT.
abstract: Melanocytes and dopaminergic neurons share the same ectodermal origin and can both produce melanin. Indeed, in vivo studies have shown that the radiopharmaceutical iodine-123-iodobenzamide (I-123 IBZM), which binds in vivo to dopamine D(2/3) receptors, is also able to detect melanoma, and particularly melanotic melanoma. We report a case of intense IBZM uptake in nodular melanoma of the skin on the scalp. The presence of unexpected focal IBZM uptake of the skin justified histologic examination, which revealed nodular melanoma. Melanoma should be considered when one is confronted with atypical focal uptake of benzamide derivatives like IBZM, in or outside the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.booij@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Booij
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boot
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Eeden
authors.forename: Thérèse
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van Amelsvoort
mesh_terms: D001549:Benzamides; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011759:Pyrrolidines; D012535:Scalp; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D011759:Pyrrolidines; C055743:3-iodo-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-N-((1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl)benzamide