False-negative scintigraphy with Tc-99m sestamibi in stage IV neuroblastoma

Clin Nucl Med. 1999 Apr;24(4):267-70. doi: 10.1097/00003072-199904000-00011.

Abstract

Tc-99m sestamibi, originally developed for myocardial studies, has been used as a tumor-seeking agent. Recently, the agent also was reported to be a functional tracer to predict multidrug resistance-related p-glycoprotein expression in tumor tissue. The current report presents the authors' experience with sestamibi tumor scintigraphy in a neuroblastoma. Although I-131 MIBG tumor imaging and Tc-99m MDP bone scanning accurately demonstrated the extent of the disease, Tc-99m sestamibi showed no accumulation in primary and metastatic foci. Lack of sestamibi uptake was initially thought to be suggestive of failure to respond to chemotherapy because of p-glycoprotein expression. However, the patient responded well to chemotherapy and complete remission was achieved. The failure of Tc-99m sestamibi to detect a neuroblastoma and the lack of sestamibi accumulation in the tumor may not always be related to chemotherapy resistance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • False Negative Reactions*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neuroblastoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Neuroblastoma / secondary
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Remission Induction
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate