From pulsing headache to pheochromocytoma: The first application of 123I-MIBG in the scintigraphy in Croatia - a case report

Abstract

This case report presents a patient with pheocromocytoma and the first use of ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphy in the diagnostic workup of an adrenal gland tumor with elevated metanephrine and normetanephrine levels in our institution and in Croatia. The patient had intensive pulsing headaches for a year. A tumor of the right suprarenal gland has been observed by ultrasound, by CT scan, and by MRI of the abdomen. A comprehensive endocrinological observation revealed significantly increased values of metanephrine, normetanephrine, epinephrine and noreinephrine. ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphy were excluded multiple tumors and metastases of malignant pheochromocytoma. After surgery, diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was proven histologically. Three weeks after surgery, the values of metanephrine and normetanephrine were in the normal range.