MIBG scintiscan

A radioisotope (MIBG, iodine-131-meta-iodobenzylguanidine, or iodine-123-meta-iodobenzylguanidine) is injected into a vein. This compound attaches to specific tumor cells. You will have the scan later that day or the next day. For this part of the test, you lie on a table under the arm of the scanner. Your abdomen is…

You will need to sign an informed consent form. You will be asked to wear a hospital gown or loose-fitting clothes. You will need to remove jewelry or metal objects before each scan. Many drugs interfere with the test. Ask your health care provider which of your regular medicines you may need to stop taking before the…

You will feel a sharp needle prick when the material is injected. The table may be cold or hard. You must lie still during the scan.

This test is done to help diagnose pheochromocytoma. It is done when an abdominal CT scan or an abdominal MRI scan does not give a definite answer. It is also used to help diagnose neuroblastoma and can be used for carcinoid tumors.

There are no signs of a tumor.

Abnormal results may indicate: Pheochromocytoma Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II Carcinoid tumor Neuroblastoma

There is some exposure to radiation from the radioisotope. The radiation from this radioisotope is higher than from many others. You may need to take extra precautions for a few days after the test. Your provider will tell you what actions to take. Before or during the test, you may be given an iodine solution. This…

Bleeker G, Tytgat GAM, Adam JA, et al. 123I-MIBG scintigraphy and 18F-FDG-PET imaging for diagnosing neuroblastoma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2015;(9):CDC009263. PMID: 26417712 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26417712/ . Cohen DL, Fishbein L. Secondary hypertension: pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. In: Bakris GL,…