Radiology, Vol 128, 157-161, Copyright © 1978 by Radiological Society of North America
Adrenal scanning and uptake with 131I-6beta-iodomethyl-nor-cholesterol
UY Ryo, AS Johnston, I Kim and SM Pinsky
Adrenal scans were obtained in 50 patients with suspected adrenal disease;
131I-19-iodocholesterol was used in 12 and 131I-6-beta- iodomethyl
cholesterol (NP-59) in 38 cases (42 scans). The scan diagnosis was correct
in 48 patients. Successful images were obtained with 0.5 mCi, or less, of
NP-59 instead of the standard dose of 2 mCi, thus reducing radiation dose
to the patient and cost of the agent. Satisfactory scans were obtained in
2--3 days in patients with hyperfunctioning adrenals, and in 3--7 days in
other groups of patients, when NP-59 was used. With
131I-19-iodocholesterol, however, 5- -10 days were required for optimal
results in all patients including those with Cushing disease. Adrenal
uptake studies were very useful in the evaluation of adrenal function,
particularly in differentiating bilateral hyperplasia from normal adrenals.
