Aggressive Imaging Features in a Malignant Pheochromocytoma With a Novel Mutation of the SDHB Gene

Clin Nucl Med. 2017 Sep;42(9):687-689. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001729.

Abstract

We describe a 15-year-old boy with a huge bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma that had a de novo germline mutation in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) gene. F-FDG PET/CT revealed bilateral metabolically active large masses in the adrenal glands and the activated brown adipose tissues. The I-MIBG scintigraphic findings revealed only a mild accumulation of MIBG in the right adrenal mass, but a high uptake in the left adrenal mass. Thus, F-FDG PET/CT imaging may be more effective than I-MIBG scintigraphy for the evaluation of pheochromocytomas that are associated with highly malignant characteristics resulting from mutations of the SDHB gene.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pheochromocytoma / genetics*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase / genetics*

Substances

  • SDHD protein, human
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase