[Metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy in the diagnosis and followup of neuroblastoma. Apropos of 16 cases]. / La scintigraphie à la méta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine dans le diagnostic et le suivi des neuroblastomes. A propos de 16 cas.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine scintigraphy in the diagnosis and the management of neuroblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: betwen september 1999 and jun 2004, 16 children aging from 4 months to 6 years, with neuroblastoma, underwent mIBG scintigraphy in military hospital nuclear medicine department. RESULTS: 23 mIBG scans were done. The exam was indicated for the initial staging in 7 cases, to evaluate chemotherapy or surgery in 12 cases and to seek for reccurences in 3 cases. The sensitivity of mIBG was 57% in the detection of the primary tumor, 100% for liver metastases and 67% for medullar involvement. CONCLUSION: mIBG scintigraphy should be a standard in the initial staging of neuroblastoma and in evaluating therapy response.