(18)F-FDG-PET/CT, (123)I-MIBG and (99m)Tc-MDP whole-body scans, in detecting recurrence of an adult adrenal neuroblastoma

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid malignancy in children, but is rare in adults. We report the case of a 33 year old man with recurrence of neuroblastoma, 2 years after the excision of the primary tumor in the right adrenal gland. The iodine-123-radioiodinated metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) and (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate ((99m)Tc-MDP) bone scans and the fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) findings in this patient are presented. First, we applied (123)I-MIBG scintigraphy that detected increased uptake at the right adrenal gland region and probably at liver lesions and in several bones. Then, the (99m)Tc-MDP bone scan revealed also increased uptake of the radiopharmaceutical in bones, but there was a discrepancy between these two studies concerning the number and location of the lesions. Then, (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan was performed, which showed increased uptake of (18)F-FDG at the right adrenal gland region with extension to the liver and also in multiple bones. Additionally, an aortocaval lymph node was detected. In conclusion, this case indicated that (18)F-FDG PET/CT has defined the extent of the recurrence of neuroblastoma in a better way than (123)I-MIBG and (99m)Tc-MDP together.