Sarcomatous transformation of neurofibromas. Comparative imaging with Ga-67, Tl-201, Tc-99m pentavalent DMSA and Tc-99m MIBI

Clin Nucl Med. 1997 Sep;22(9):610-4. doi: 10.1097/00003072-199709000-00006.

Abstract

A 29-year-old man, with a history of von Recklinghausen's disease, presented with progressive dyspnea associated with a rapidly growing mass on the right chest wall. Plain radiograph and CT of the chest revealed a huge soft-tissue mass with central low-density area involving the right upper lung and chest wall. SPECT imaging with Ga-67 citrate, Tl-201 chloride, Tc-99m pentavalent DMSA (V-DMSA), and Tc-99m MIBI were performed to characterize the mass. The tumor concentrated Ga-67, Tl-201, and Tc-99m (V) DMSA, but not Tc-99m MIBI. Punch biopsy of the lesion revealed malignant transformation of a thoracic neuroma (neurofibrosarcoma). Subsequently, findings compatible with the presence of a multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1) gene in the tumor was documented, which may explain the poor uptake of Tc-99m MIBI. The patient did not respond to intensive chemotherapeutic regimens, and died 3 months later. This case demonstrates the potential use of combined radionuclide imaging for the detection of malignant transformation of neurofibroma, as well as for predicting tumor response to chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Dyspnea / diagnostic imaging
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Forecasting
  • Gallium Radioisotopes*
  • Genes, MDR / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Neurofibroma / genetics
  • Neurofibroma / pathology*
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / genetics
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / pathology*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Sarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoma / genetics
  • Sarcoma / pathology*
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi*
  • Thallium Radioisotopes*
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thallium Radioisotopes
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi