THE IMPACT OF I-123 METAIODOBENZYLGUANIDINE SCINTIGRAPHY ON DIAGNOSTICS AND FOLLOW-UP OF NEUROBLASTOMA

The present retrospective study includes all children suspected for ha ving neuroblastoma, admitted to Odense University Hospital in Septembe r 1984 through December 1993. Thirty-six children at the age range of 1 month to 14 years and 10 month were investigated with I-123-metaiodo benzylguanidine (MIBG). Nineteen children had histologically verified neuroblastoma. Several MIBG scintigraphic examinations were made in al l but one of these 19 children. Positive MIBG scintigraphy strengthene d the diagnosis and indicated the volume and location of the tumour at diagnosis and during the treatment period. In a few patients only the re was some disagreement between results obtained with MIBG scintigrap hy and standard investigations as CT-scanning or ultrasonography. MIBG scintigraphy in all cases turned out to be the most sensitive modalit y.