Aim: We performed 123I-(S)-2-hydroxy 3-iodo-6-methoxy-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]benzamide (123I-IBZM)-scintigraphy to evaluate one usefulness of this radiopharmaceutic agent for the diagnosis of malignant melanomas.
Methods: We performed whole body scintigraphies after intravenous application of 123I-IBZM in 20 patients and compared the scintigraphic findings with the results of other imaging methods.
Results: In four patients no melanotic lesions were detectable, neither by 123I-IBZM-scintigraphy nor by other imaging procedures. A scintigraphic detection of cutaneous or subcutaneous lesions was possible in our of ten patients. 123I-IBZM-scintigraphy showed pathological findings in five of ten patients with lymph node metastases. Two patients had brain metastases, in four patients lung localizations were present. None of these organic manifestations was discovered by scintigraphic means. Amelanotic lesions never showed an accumulation of 123I-IBZM. It was not possible to detect any "new" lesions, i.e. lesions not visualized by other imaging procedures.
Conclusion: 123I-IBZM-scintigraphy did not present additional information important for the therapy of patients with malignant melanoma.