Abstract:

Objective To explore the optimal method of radionuclide imaging in detection of recurrence or metastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Methods The clinical data of 89 patients with DTC were retrospectively analysed. The results of radionuclide imaging methods of ¹³¹I whole body scan complemented with serum thyroglobulin(Tg) measurement, ^99mTc-MIBI tumor scan and 18F-FDG coincidence SPECT/CT were compared and analysed. Results The sensitivities of ¹³¹I whole body scan, ^99mTc-MIBI tumor scan and 18F-FDG coincidence SPECT/CT were 83.05%, 79.66% and 16.95%, respectively. Conclusion As complementary methods, ^99mTc-MIBI tumor scan and 18F-FDG coincidence SPECT/CT can make up the limitation of ¹³¹I whole body scan simply complemented with serum Tg measurement, which may help to detect the recurrence and metastasis of DTC, evaluate the therapeutic effects and guide the therapy.

Key words: differentiated thyroid carcinoma, tumor scan, ^99mTc-MIBI, 18F-FDG, radioactive iodine