Late presentation of metastatic pheochromocytoma: a problem case solved by I-131 MIBG scintigraphy.

A patient presented with recurrent pheochromocytoma 10 years following the apparently successful surgical cure of a right adrenal pheochromocytoma. Conventional medical imaging techniques, (chest radiograph, abdominal ultrasound, and abdominal CT) suggested local recurrence for which surgery was planned. I-131 MIBG scintigraphy revealed disseminated metastatic disease that rendered attempts at surgical cure futile. The patient was treated with three therapeutic doses of I-131 MIBG with good symptomatic palliation and improvement of some biochemical parameters.