[18F]mFBG PET-CT for detection and localisation of neuroblastoma: a prospective pilot study

Purpose Meta -[ 18 F]fluorobenzylguanidine ([ 18 F]mFBG) is a positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer that allows for fast and high-resolution imaging of tumours expressing the norepinephrine transporter. This pilot study investigates the feasibility of [ 18 F]mFBG PET-CT for imaging in neuroblastoma. Methods In a prospective, single-centre study, we recruited children with neuroblastoma, referred for meta -[ 123 I]iodobenzylguanidine ([ 123 I]mIBG) scanning, consisting of total body planar scintigraphy in combination with single-photon emission computed tomography-CT (SPECT-CT). Within two weeks of [ 123 I]mIBG scanning, total body PET-CTs were performed at 1 h and 2 h after injection of [ 18 F]mFBG (2 MBq/kg). Detected tumour localisations on scan pairs were compared. Soft tissue disease was quantified by number of lesions and skeletal disease by SIOPEN score. Results Twenty paired [ 123 I]mIBG and [ 18 F]mFBG scans were performed in 14 patients (median age 4.9 years, n = 13 stage 4 disease and n = 1 stage 4S). [ 18 F]mFBG injection was well tolerated and no related adverse events occurred in any of the patients. Mean scan time for [ 18 F]mFBG PET-CT (9.0 min, SD 1.9) was significantly shorter than for [ 123 I]mIBG scanning (84.5 min, SD 10.5), p