Abstract
Purpose I-131 whole-body scintigraphy is a highly sensitive method for the detection of differentiated thyroid tumours; and metastases. However, a lack of anatomical landmarks and the physiological excretion of the tracer complicates the evaluation of the images. Therefore, we determined whether additional bone scintigraphy in combination with I-131 scintigraphy, simultaneously acquired via ...
Abstract
Purpose I-131 whole-body scintigraphy is a highly sensitive method for the detection of differentiated thyroid tumours; and metastases. However, a lack of anatomical landmarks and the physiological excretion of the tracer complicates the evaluation of the images. Therefore, we determined whether additional bone scintigraphy in combination with I-131 scintigraphy, simultaneously acquired via planar and tomographic techniques, positively contributes to the treatment plan in patients with non-conclusive I-131 images. Methods Twenty-one patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and known metastases or unclear findings in the I-131 whole-body scan underwent dual-isotope scintigraphy (DIS) within 2-7 days after application of 5000-8000 MBq I-131. Dual-energy planar and tomographic data were acquired simultaneously and the results compared with other imaging modalities. Results In 48% of the cases (10 of 21), DIS supplied important additional information that either altered the treatment plan or staging of the patients. In 28% (six of 21), DIS provided new information that was not known before, but did not change the staging of the patients. In five cases (24%), DIS did not add any new data regarding the extent of the disease. Conclusions The simultaneous acquisition of I-131 and Tc-99m-methylene diphosphonate provides clear landmarks and facilitates the localization of functioning metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer as well as improves the fusion with morphological images. It can be performed easily and also transferred to other isotope combinations.
Altmetric