18F-metafluorobenzylguanidine (18F-MFBG) PET/CT in Neuroblastoma. The First experience In Russia: Comparison with 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) Scintigraphy

Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial solid tumor of childhood. In 7 out of 10 cases, neuroblastoma is already disseminated at the time of diagnosis. Of the current nuclear medicine techniques, scintigraphy with methaiodobenzylguanidine, which is a 123 I-labeled noradrenaline analog or ( 123 I-MIBG), plays the most important role in the evaluation of neuroblastoma. Currently, a new PET-tracer, 18 F-MFBG ( 18 F-labeled benziguanidine analog), has emerged that can be used in the radionuclide diagnosis of neuroblastomas. Our clinical observations showed identical diagnostic efficiency to scintigraphy data with 123 I-MIBG with significantly faster blood clearance than 123 I-MIBG, which allows us to perform studies as early as 1 h after intravenous administration. In one case PET/CT with 18 F-MIBG revealed additional tumor foci, which allowed to correct therapy, which is certainly of great importance in clinical practice.