I-123 ALPHA-METHYL TYROSINE SCINTIGRAPHY IN MALIGNANT-MELANOMA

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the ranking of the scintigra phy with L-3-I-123-alpha-methyl tyrosine (I-123-AMT) in metastised mel anoma. Methods: 26 metastases and one primary tumor of a malignant mel anoma in six patients were examined with I-123-AMT whole-body scintigr aphy and SPECT. Positron Emission Tomography with 2-F-18-fluoro-2-deso xy-D-glucose (F-18-FDG) was used as the golden standard. Results: With I-123-AMT-SPECT 8/10 metastases in the thorax >1,6 cm were detected ( ratio TINT 1,2-1,8), metastases <1,6 cm were not detectable with SPECT . In I-123-AMT whole-body scintigraphy not one lesion showed a positiv e tumor uptake. Conclusion: In single cases I-123-AMT scintigraphy can be helpful in staging of malignant melanoma.