Nuclear Imaging in Metastatic Paraganglioma

Paragangliomas associated with mutations of the SDHD gene can occasionally result in distant metastasis. Diagnosis can be difficult, and nuclear imaging is used to evaluate the case further. Not all tumors are alike; nuclear avidity may differ. We present a case in which metastatic paraganglioma caused by mutations of the SDHD gene was negative on 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy and positive on 111In-labeled octreotide scintigraphy. This situation presents an opportunity for a novel therapeutic approach toward metastatic paraganglioma using targeted peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.