The radioactive handkerchief sign. A contamination artifact in I-131 imaging for metastatic thyroid carcinoma.
False-positive findings suggestive of metastatic functioning thyroid carcinoma have been well documented in I-131 whole-body imaging. These artifacts are often associated with contamination from radioiodine-containing body secretions. Recently, a contaminated handkerchief on an iodine-131 whole-body scan was reported. In the following study, two additional cases involving the sequestration of I-131 contaminated handkerchiefs in patients' pockets are presented, and the literature regarding these false-positive findings is reviewed. Although rare, this "radioactive handkerchief sign" may cause serious misinterpretation of a focal radioiodine accumulation.
Pochis
W T
WT
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Krasnow
A Z
AZ
Isitman
A T
AT
Cerletty
J M
JM
Kir
K M
KM
Hellman
R S
RS
Collier
B D
BD
D000328:Adult; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes