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I-123 MIBG Scintigraphy
Sample Scan
I-123-MIBG scintigraphy in patient with unknown origin of primary tumor and liver metastases. |
I-123 MIBG scintigraphy is an imaging test used to detect certain types of neuroendocrine tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors detected with this scan include neuroblastomas, paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas. This scan is able to detect these tumors because the compound MIBG is very similar to norepinephrine/noradrenaline, a neurotransmitter chemical that is taken up by neuroendocrine cells.
The procedure for this scan involves the injection of the I-123-MIBG radiopharmaceutical into the patient’s bloodstream followed by imaging with a gamma camera.
I-123 MIBG scintigraphy is used to:
• Identify the presence of neuroendocrine tumors
• Detect the spread of neuroendocrine cancer to other parts of the body
• Evaluate tumor response to therapy