PET HYDROXYEPHEDRINE IMAGING OF NEUROBLASTOMA

The goals of this investigation were to characterize the uptake of C-1 1-hydroxyephedrine (HED) in neuroblastoma and to determine the feasibi lity and potential advantages of utilizing this compound as a tumor im aging agent. Methods: Seven patients with known or subsequently proven neuroblastoma were studied. Each patient underwent PET scanning with C-11-HED. Six of seven patients underwent scintigraphy with [I-123]met a-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), and two patients were also studied with [F-18]FDG PET. For six patients, CT or MR images were available for co mparison. Results: Neuroblastomas were located by PET scanning with C- 11-HED in all seven patients. The uptake of HED into neuroblastomas wa s rapid; tumors were evident on images within 5 min postintravenous in jection. Those lesions in the field of view of the PET camera were als o identified on [I-123]MIBG scintigraphic images. In two patients, tum or deposits in the abdomen were better visualized with MIBG scintigrap hy due to relatively less hepatic accumulation of MIBG than HED. Concl usion: PET scanning with HED for neuroblastoma results in high quality functional images of the tumors that can be obtained within minutes f ollowing injection.