Tc-99m MIBI, Tc-99m tetrofosmin, and Tc-99m (V) DMSA accumulation in recurrent malignant thymoma

Clin Nucl Med. 2002 Jan;27(1):30-3. doi: 10.1097/00003072-200201000-00007.

Abstract

Thymoma is the most common primary tumor of the anterior mediastinum, accounting for 20% to 30% of all mediastinal tumors. The recurrence rate after total resection of the thymoma ranges from 8% to 18%. The authors describe a patient with recurrent malignant thymoma imaged with Tc-99m MIBI, Tc-99m tetrofosmin, and Tc-99m (V) DMSA. Early and delayed Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy showed increased uptake in the mediastinal area, as did Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy. Coronal SPECT images obtained with Tc-99m MIBI, Tc-99m tetrofosmin, and Tc-99m (V) DMSA showed increased uptake in the mediastinal lesion seen on a computed tomograph of the chest. However, the normal blood-pool activity of the heart and great vessels imaged with Tc-99m (V) DMSA obscured the recurrent malignant thymoma. Although Tc-99m (V) DMSA is a useful tumor-seeking agent, Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m tetrofosmin SPECT are preferred to Tc-99m (V) DMSA to detect primary and recurrent malignant thymoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / metabolism
  • Organophosphorus Compounds* / pharmacokinetics
  • Organotechnetium Compounds* / pharmacokinetics
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid* / pharmacokinetics
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi* / pharmacokinetics
  • Thymoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thymoma / metabolism
  • Thymoma / pathology
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / metabolism

Substances

  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Organotechnetium Compounds
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • technetium tc-99m tetrofosmin
  • Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi