Thyroid Remnant Estimation by Diagnostic Dose I131 Scintigraphy or TcO4-99m Scintigraphy after Thyroidectomy: A Comparison with Therapeutic Dose I131 Imaging

الملخص EN

In this clinical study, we have compared routine diagnostic dose 131I scan and TcO4-99m thyroid scintigraphy with therapeutic dose 131I imaging for accurate thyroid remnant estimation after total thyroidectomy.

We conducted a retrospective review of the patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and subsequently receiving radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment to ablate remnant thyroid tissue.

All patients had therapeutic dose RAI whole body scan, which was compared with that of diagnostic dose RAI, TcO4-99m thyroid scan, and ultrasound examination.

We concluded that therapeutic dose RAI scan reveals some extent thyroid remnant in all DTC patients following total thyroidectomy.

Diagnostic RAI scan is much superior to ultrasound and TcO4-99m thyroid scan for the postoperative estimation of thyroid remnant.

Ultrasound and TcO4-99m thyroid scan provide little information for thyroid remnant estimation and, therefore, would not replace diagnostic RAI scan.