Iodine-131MIBG SPECT/CT in neuroendocrine tumours: An institutional experience

CONTEXT: Radiolabelled metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is commonly used for imaging of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The hybrid imaging with single photon emission computerized tomography/computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) co-registration can give that additional edge to this functional imaging modality. AIMS: To study the additional value of (131)I-MIBG SPECT/CT scintigraphy in evaluation of NETs. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: We performed a retrospective study of the scintigraphic data of patients referred to our department for detection and follow-up of NETs from 2004 to 2008. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total number of studies were 370. Twenty-eight patients with equivocal findings on planar imaging had undergone additional SPECT/CT imaging. The contribution made by SPECT/CT imaging in these studies was analyzed. RESULTS: In 27 of 28 cases, SPECT/CT provided vital additional information. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that SPECT/CT co-registration helps in exclusion, identification, and localization of primary and metastatic NETs. It differentiates physiological from pathological tracer distribution. It helps increase the confidence in reporting, especially in equivocal findings on planar imaging.