Neuroblastoma is a lethal and not uncommon
tumor in childhood. Early detection and display of the spread of the
tumor is highly desirable for proper treatment. Nine children suspected of having
neuroblastomas were examined by I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (I-131 MIBG) imaging. In two recent studies I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (I-123 MIBG) was used. A primary adrenal
neuroblastoma was correctly identified in three cases. In two patients additional
tumor sites were found. In one patient, who was
in complete remission, no pathologic accumulation of I-131
MIBG was found. I-131
MIBG images were also normal in four patients with other types of neoplastic diseases. A boy with multiple
metastases was treated with 100 mCi of I-131
MIBG. He developed transient gastrointestinal illness and there was no regression of the
tumor deposits. In one girl with a large adrenal
neuroblastoma high uptake of I-131
MIBG was observed. She received two
therapy doses of I-131
MIBG (35 mCi and 75 mCi) with curative intention giving a total absorbed dose in the
tumor of approximately 76 Gy. In spite of high retention of radioactivity in the
tumor, regression did not occur, but her general condition was improved. In the present study, images of superior quality were obtained with I-123
MIBG imaging. It is concluded that imaging using I-131
MIBG or I-123
MIBG should be used in both the initial evaluation and the follow-up of children with
neuroblastoma.