Objectives: Post-surgical scintigraphy is of importance to assess residual tissue at surgical site in neuroblastoma. The objectives were (i) to to assess post-surgical residual tissue with 123I-MIBG scintigraphy and morphological imaging (ii) to compare 123I-MIBG SPECT/CT acquisition to planar scintigraphy (iii) to assess the impact of MIBG uptake in residual tissue on survival.
Methods: 30 patients consecutively operated for MIBG-positive neuroblastoma were included (INRG stage L1 n=4, L2 n=10, M n=12, Ms n=4). On operative report, surgery was considered as complete in 23 and incomplete in 7 patients, respectively.
Postoperative imaging included 123I-MIBG scintigraphy with 123I-MIBG SPECT/CT and planar acquisitions and morphological exams (MRI or CT or US).
Quantification of 123I-MIBG SPECT/CT was performed with tumor to mediastinum count rate ratio (TMCRR).
Results: Mean delay between surgery and post-operative MIBG or morphological imaging was 39 and 49 days, respectively. Mean additional radiation exposure induced by 123I-MIBG SPECT/CT was 149mGy.cm.
At surgical site, postoperative morphological exam was positive in 14 patients, negative in 16; 123I MIBG SPECT/CT positive in 6 patients (3 for MIBG planar imaging), negative in 24.
In case of reported complete surgery, morphological imaging was positive in 7/23 and MIBG SPECT in 2/23 patients.
With a median follow-up of 25 months (range 6-83), 10 pts had relapse or progression (local in 5 pts including 2 pts with slow local progression; metastatic in 4 pts, local and metastatic in 1 pt).
Median progression-free survival (Kaplan-Meier) was 57 weeks (42-72.5 CI95).
Using a TMCRR cutoff at 2.6 on 123I-MIBG SPECT/CT, we found a significant difference in progression-free survival (p=0.004), patients with a higher ratio having worst prognosis.
No significant difference was found in progression free survival in case of residual tissue presence on morphological exam (p=0.22).
Conclusion: Post-surgical 123I-MIBG SPECT/CT appears a key tool to assess residual tissue in neuroblastoma. Further studies are needed to assess impact for patient’s management.