Objective: To highlight the importance of radiation safety and handling of radioactive secretions following 131I-meta iodobenzylguanidine (131I-mIBG) use in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
Methods: We report a 4-year-old girl with stage 4 neuroblastoma, on whom’s single-photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) scan we demonstrate four extra-corporal areas of radioactivity confirming radiation uptake in the four corners of her ‘comfort blanket�? that had been used to cover her during the scan. It transpired that she had been sucking on the four corners of this blanket.
Results: The patient’s secretions remain radioactive for some time following scintigraphy, as evidence of radioactivity in the patient’s comfort blanket.
Conclusions: Radioactive uptake of 131I-mIBG in the salivary glands of patients has previously been reported. This illustrative case emphasizes that patient’s secretions remain radioactive following treatment and highlights the importance of careful handling of radioactive secretions.
