An unusual presentation of the TENIS syndrome

Abstract EN

Introduction : Papillary carcinoma is the commonest subtype of thyroid cancer.

Patients are treated with radioactive iodine (RAI), and monitored with RAI scans, serum thyroglobulin levels, and cervical ultrasonography.

Elevated serum thyroglobulin despite a negative RAI scan is termed the TENIS syndrome (Truncated Expression of the NIS ; NIS represents the sodium-iodide symporter).

Alternative imaging is then indicated.

Method / Result : A female Caucasian patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma had been followed up at our Thyroid Cancer clinic.

A diagnostic scan revealed residual thyroid tissue.

RAI ablation of the thyroid remnant was performed with 80 mCi of RAI.

Two- and five-year follow-up scans were clear.

However, thyroglobulin levels remained high, thus a diagnosis of TENIS syndrome was made.