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Abnormal MIBG uptake in a neuroblastoma patient with right upper lobe atelectasis
Jay Acharya1, Patricia T Chang, Perry Gerard
1Department of Radiology, Westchester Medical Center, 100 Woods Road, Valhall, NY 10595, USA.
Insights
This study reports a rare case of abnormal 123-I Meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake in a child's lung. The uptake, associated with atelectasis post-neuroblastoma surgery, is a novel finding.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine
- Pediatric oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric malignancy.
- 123-I Meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy is crucial for neuroblastoma staging and follow-up.
- Post-surgical atelectasis can occur in pediatric patients.
Observation:
- A 3-month-old boy with abdominopelvic neuroblastoma underwent a routine 123-I MIBG scan post-resection.
- The scan revealed abnormal radiotracer uptake in the right upper lung lobe.
- SPECT/CT correlated this uptake with airspace consolidation, suspected to be atelectasis.
Findings:
- This represents the first reported case of focal pulmonary 123-I MIBG uptake associated with atelectasis.
- Previous literature documents MIBG lung uptake correlating with pneumonia, but not atelectasis.
Implications:
- This finding expands the differential diagnosis for abnormal pulmonary MIBG uptake in pediatric neuroblastoma patients.
- It highlights the importance of correlating imaging findings with clinical context, especially post-operatively.
- Further research may clarify the mechanisms of MIBG uptake in non-tumoral lung conditions.
Abstract:
A 3-month-old boy with a history of an abdominopelvic neuroblastoma presented 1 week after tumor resection for a routine follow-up 123-I Meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan to assess for residual mass. The study demonstrated abnormal radiotracer uptake in the right upper lobe, which correlated on the SPECT/CT to an area of airspace consolidation thought to be secondary to atelectasis. To the best of our knowledge, there is one published case of MIBG radiotracer uptake in the lung correlating with pneumonia; however, there are no reported cases to date in the literature of focal pulmonary MIBG uptake corresponding to atelectasis.
