False positive uptake of metaiodobenzylguanidine in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

We present the case of a patient who showed increased accumulation of (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in hepatocellular carcinoma, leading to a false presumptive diagnosis of intrahepatic neuroendocrine tumour. The increase in uptake was not seen on images obtained 4 h after tracer injection but was evident on those taken after 24 h, suggesting slower washout from the liver tumour than from non-tumoural liver parenchyma. Our observations indicate that a non-neuroendocrine malignant tumour may exhibit high accumulation of MIBG associated with prolonged retention.