Can iodine-131 whole-body scan be replaced by thyroglobulin measurement in the post-surgical follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma?
This study compared serum thyroglobulin measurement and whole-body scans in the post-surgical follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Thyroglobulin levels were measured in 61 patients receiving L-thyroxine therapy after thyroidectomy, and again after suspension of therapy, before performing a whole-body scan with iodine-131. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of thyroglobulin levels, measured during L-thyroxine therapy, for diagnosis of tumor residue or metastases were then calculated and compared with results obtained by diagnostic whole-body scanning. Our data show that neither thyroglobulin levels nor whole-body scans alone can discriminate between patients with or without metastases. Sensitivity reached 95.7%, specificity 100%, and accuracy 96.7% if results of both procedures were also taken into consideration. We conclude that in the management and follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma both parameters need to be evaluated.
Ronga
G
G
Service of Nuclear Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Fiorentino
A
A
Paserio
E
E
Signore
A
A
Todino
V
V
Tummarello
M A
MA
Filesi
M
M
Baschieri
I
I
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000097:blood*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D014915:Whole-Body Counting
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013954:Thyroglobulin