Early detection of asymptomatic hereditary chemodectoma with radionuclide scintiangiography. A possibility for family screening and surveillance.

A large family with a history of hereditary chemodectoma has been successfully screened by means of radionuclide scintiangiography. This procedure could restrict selective and more invasive roentgenangiography only to those cases in which flow patterns are abnormal. Three asymptomatic cases of chemodectoma were revealed by this method. Early therapeutic measures may now be feasible. We discuss the possibilities for surveillance of these families without causing discomfort to the group involved.