Uptake of 123I-MIBG in a hepatic hemangioma in the scintigraphic study of an adrenal gland lesion

• Published in: Revista española de medicina nuclear Vol. 24; no. 3; p. 191
• Main Authors: Sampol Bas, C, Peña Viloria, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.05.2005
• Subjects: 3-Iodobenzylguanidine; Adenoma - diagnosis; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms - diagnosis; Adrenal Glands - diagnostic imaging; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Antidepressive Agents - adverse effects; Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects; Antipsychotic Agents - pharmacology; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Catecholamines - blood; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Errors; Drug Interactions; False Positive Reactions; Female; Fibula - diagnostic imaging; Fibula - injuries; Fractures, Bone - complications; Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging; Hemangioma - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Incidental Findings; Iodine Radioisotopes; Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Pheochromocytoma - diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders - complications; Psychotic Disorders - drug therapy; Radionuclide Imaging; Tibial Fractures - complications; Tibial Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0212-6982

A 60 year old symptom free female in whom a lesion in left adrenal gland was found by chance in a CT scan is presented. She also had increased serum and urine catecholamines levels. 123I-MIBG scintigraphy showed a non-physiological uptake in right adrenal gland that is still seen in the delayed image, with normal left gland. MRI confirmed the presence of a mass in the left adrenal gland suggestive of an adenoma and found a lesion in the right hepatic area at the level of the previously seen MIBG image. This lesion was labelled as a hemangioma and would explain the findings of the isotopic study with MIBG. It must be considered as a false positive for phaechromocytoma. The increased catecholamine serum and urine levels were due to drug interactions.