123I MIBG imaging in a patient with phaeochromocytoma and a patient with paraganglioma.
In (a) focally increased uptake is seen in the right adrenal region (phaeochromocytoma) and normal uptake is seen in the left adrenal gland. Note that the high levels of circulating adrenaline and noradnenaline have not suppressed the uptake and storage of MIBG by the normal adrenal medulla but cardiac uptake is reduced. In (b) high uptake is seen focally in an area in the upper abdomen, inferior to the liver. Uptake in the two normal adrenal medullae is also seen. This technique is 95 per cent accurate in the localisation of paraganglioma and phaeochromocytoma.
