Visualization of suppressed thyroid tissue by technetium-99m-tertiary butyl isonitrile: an alternative to post-TSH stimulation scanning.
The autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN) is a discrete, nodular structure which operates independently of pituitary control and without relation to the remaining thyroid tissue. Presently, for the visualization of a suppressed thyroid lobe, a patient has to undergo the thyrotropin (TSH) stimulation test, which has several disadvantages. In this study we have used tertiary butyl isonitrile (99mTc-TBI), well known as a myocardial imaging agent, for visualization of the suppressed lobe. Thirteen of fourteen patients studied demonstrated a contralateral lobe on a 99mTc-TBI scan which was not visualized with a 99mTc0(4) or 131I scan. Although it is not possible to demonstrate the autonomous nature of the hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule using 99mTc-TBI, we conclude that it is feasible to use this agent to visualize the lobe without the TSH test.
Ramanathan
P
P
Radiation Medicine Centre, (B.A.R.C.), Tata Memorial Centre Annexe, Parel, Bombay, India.
Patel
R B
RB
Subrahmanyam
N
N
Nayak
U N
UN
Sachdev
S S
SS
Ramamoorthy
N
N
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009570:Nitriles; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013972:Thyrotropin
D009570:Nitriles; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; C043714:technetium Tc 99m hexakis(tert-butylisonitrile); D013972:Thyrotropin