[Prediction of remission in Graves' disease after thionamide therapy by technetium-99m early uptake].
In the clinical management of Graves' thyrotoxicosis, one of the most important subject is when to stop antithyroid drugs after achieving an euthyroid state. T3 suppression test and other methods have been used to forecast the outcome after drug cessation, but the results were not always satisfactory. We have attempted to predict remission of Graves' disease by single measurement of early technetium uptake without administration of triiodothyronine. Drugs were discontinued in the seventy-five patients with Graves' disease on maintenance doses of either methimazole or propylthiouracil who showed normalized uptake (4.0% or less). Of 64 patients evaluable after twelve months, 55 (86%) remained euthyroid, 8 relapsed, and 1 became hypothyroid. With its accuracy in prediction of short-term remission comparable or superior to T3 suppression test, this rapid and simple method seemed suitable for routine use in clinical practice.
Misaki
T
T
Department of Radiology, Kyoto City Hospital.
Dokoh
S
S
Koh
T
T
Shimbo
S
S
Hidaka
A
A
Iida
Y
Y
Kasagi
K
K
Konishi
J
J
D000328:Adult; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012074:Remission Induction; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m