Q:
What’s the connection between an MIBG scan and pheochromocytomas?
A:
Pheochromocytomas are tumors in the adrenal glands that cause overproduction of adrenaline.
As for MIBG, it stands for iodine-131-meta-iodobenzylguanidine, a type of radioisotope (radioactive material).
So, an MIBG scan is a nuclear scan test to detect the presence of certain tumors and locate them, by injecting MIBG into a vein. These tumors include: pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, ganglioneuromas, ganglioneuroblastomas, paragangliomas and carcinoid tumors.
Therefore, an MIBG scan can help locate or confirm pheochromocytomas.
Keywords: pheochromocytoma MIBG; MIBG pheochromocytoma.
