THE NORMAL AND ABNORMAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE ADRENOMEDULLARY IMAGING AGENT M-[I-131]IODOBENZYLGUANIDINE (I-131 MIBG) IN MAN - EVALUATION BY SCINTIGRAPHY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 24  (8) , 672-682
Abstract
The scintigraphic distribution of m-[131I]iodobenzylguanidine (131I MIBG), an adrenal medullary imaging agent, was studied to determine the patterns of uptake of this agent in man. The normal distribution of 131I MIBG includes clear portrayal of the salivary glands, liver, spleen and urinary bladder. The heart, middle and lower lung zones, and colon were less frequently or less clearly seen. The upper lung zones and kidneys were seldom visualized. The thyroid appeared only in cases of inadequate thyroidal blockade. The normal adrenal glands were seldom seen and faintly imaged in 2% at 24 h after injection and in 16% at 48 h, in patients shown not to have pheochromocytomas, while intra-adrenal, extra-adrenal and malignant pheochromocytomas usually appeared as intense focal areas of 131I MIBG uptake at 24 through 72 h.