Download PDF
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004; 112(10): 601-603
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-830407
Case Report

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Radionuclide Imaging Metabolic Activity of Brown Adipose Tissue in a Patient with Pheochromocytoma

K. Fukuchi1 , M. Tatsumi2 , Y. Ishida1 , N. Oku3 , J. Hatazawa3 , R. L. Wahl2
  • 1Department of Radiology, National Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
  • 2Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
  • 3Division of Tracer Kinetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Received: October 27, 2003 First decision: January 22, 2004

Accepted: May 13, 2004

Publication Date:
02 December 2004 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

We describe a patient with extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma and high plasma norepinephrine levels. Radionuclide images of this patient obtained using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine revealed bilateral tracer accumulation in the shoulder and lower neck. The regions of radiotracer uptake corresponded to the location of human brown adipose tissue (BAT). Excessive sympathetic stimulation by high circulating catecholamine concentrations augmented the metabolic activity and tracer uptake in the BAT. This study showed that radionuclide imaging can noninvasively visualize human BAT in terms of metabolic and functional activity.

Key words

Fat - pheochromocytoma - radionuclide imaging - Positron emission tomography (PET)

References

  • 1 Cohade C, Osman M, Pannu H K, Wahl R L. Uptake in supraclavicular area fat (“USA-Fat”): description on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.  J Nucl Med. 2003;  44 170-176
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Fukuchi K, Inenaga T, Suzuki Y, Horita Y, Hayashida K, Ishida Y. Paraganglioma seen with an FDG dual-head gamma camera coincidence imaging after false-negative results of I-123 MIBG imaging.  Clin Nucl Med. 2001;  26 966-967
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Hany T F, Gharehpapagh E, Kamel E M, Buck A, Himms-Hagen J, von Schulthess G K. Brown adipose tissue: a factor to consider in symmetrical tracer uptake in the neck and upper chest region.  Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2002;  29 1393-1398
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Hull D, Segall M M. Sympathetic nervous control of brown adipose tissue and heat production in the newborn rabbit.  J Physiol. 1965;  181 458-467
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Johansson B. Brown fat: a review.  Metabolism. 1959;  8 221-240
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Lean M E, James W P, Jennings G, Trayhurn P. Brown adipose tissue in patients with phaeochromocytoma.  Int J Obes. 1986;  10 219-227
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Leung A, Shapiro B, Hattner R, Kim E, de Kraker J, Ghazzar N, Hartmann O, Hoefnagel C A, Jamadar D A, Kloos R, Lizotte P, Lumbroso J, Rufini V, Shulkin B L, Sisson J C, Thein A, Troncone L. Specificity of radioiodinated MIBG for neural crest tumors in childhood.  J Nucl Med. 1997;  38 1352-1357
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Medeiros L J, Katsas G G, Balogh K. Brown fat and adrenal pheochromocytoma: association or coincidence?.  Hum Pathol. 1985;  16 970-972
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Mersmann H J. Beta-adrenergic receptor modulation of adipocyte metabolism and growth.  J Anim Sci. 2002;  80 E24-E29
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Okuyama C, Sakane N, Yoshida T, Shima K, Kurosawa H, Kumamoto K, Ushijima Y, Nishimura T. 123I- or 125I-metaiodobenzylguanidine visualization of brown adipose tissue.  J Nucl Med. 2002;  43 1234-1240
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Shimizu Y, Nikami H, Tsukazaki K, Machado U F, Yano H, Seino Y, Saito M. Increased expression of glucose transporter GLUT-4 in brown adipose tissue of fasted rats after cold exposure.  Am J Physiol. 1993;  264 E890-E895
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Yahata T, Kuroshima A. In vitro thermogenic activity of rat brown adipose tissue in neonatal period.  Biol Neonate. 1993;  64 53-61
    PubMedGoogle Scholar

M. D. Kazuki Fukuchi

Department of Radiology
National Cardiovascular Center

Fujishiro-dai 5 - 7 - 1

Suita, Osaka, 565-8565

Japan

Phone: + 81668335012

Fax: + 81 6 68 72 74 86

Email: kfukuchi@hsp.ncvc.go.jp

      >