SPECT/CT MIBG Imaging Is Crucial in the Follow-up of the Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Planar whole-body imaging with I-radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (I-MIBG) is routinely used in the follow-up evaluation of neuroblastoma. In recent years, SPECT with integrated low-dose CT (SPECT/CT) has become more accessible. We investigated how much SPECT/CT can have additional diagnostic value over planar imaging in detection of residual and recurrent neuroblastoma.

METHODS: A total of 170 planar I-MIBG imaging scans with SPECT/CT follow-up scans performed in 147 patients with known high-risk neuroblastoma were retrospectively analyzed. Regions of increased I-MIBG uptake on planar images and the findings on SPECT/CT were compared.

RESULTS: In 61% of the studies, the whole-body planar images and SPECT/CT images yielded the same result. In 39% of the time, however, SPECT/CT images provided additional information.

CONCLUSIONS: In the follow-up of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, SPECT/CT can significantly improve planar imaging interpretation and impact patient management.