Atypical focal uptake of benzamide derivatives like IBZM should raise suspicion for melanoma due to the shared ectodermal origin of melanocytes and dopaminergic neurons.
Incidental IBZM uptake may prompt melanoma evaluation; leaves open the diagnostic utility of benzamide tracers beyond neurology.
Melanocytes and dopaminergic neurons share the same ectodermal origin and can both produce melanin. Indeed, in vivo studies have shown that the radiopharmaceutical iodine-123-iodobenzamide (I-123 IBZM), which binds in vivo to dopamine D(2/3) receptors, is also able to detect melanoma, and particularly melanotic melanoma. We report a case of intense IBZM uptake in nodular melanoma of the skin on the scalp. The presence of unexpected focal IBZM uptake of the skin justified histologic examination, which revealed nodular melanoma. Melanoma should be considered when one is confronted with atypical focal uptake of benzamide derivatives like IBZM, in or outside the brain.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Booij et al. (2011) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: