title: Scintigraphic evaluation of functional thyroidal autonomy.
abstract: The scintigraphic evaluation of thyroidal autonomy is performed both as a quantitative and qualitative thyroid scintigraphy with 99m-Tc-pertechnetate (99m-TcO4-), using a gamma camera fitted with an on-line computer system. A strong and linear correlation between the global 99m-Tc-pertechnetate thyroid uptake (TCTU) and I-123 clearance has been recognised. Therefore TCTU-values can be used as an reliable equivalent of the iodine clearance in the evaluation of actual thyroid function. The clinical value of the TCTU in the diagnosis of thyroidal autonomy is limited because it represents iodine clearance of both normal and autonomous tissue. As a consequence scintigraphic diagnosis and quantification of autonomy can only be established if the global 99m-Tc-pertechnetate thyroid uptake under suppression (TCTUs) is determined. This method is valuable in risk stratification of spontaneous or iodine induced hyperthyroidism, in the estimation of the target volume prior to radioiodine therapy and in the evaluation of therapeutic success after definitive therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meller
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D015902:Gamma Cameras; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007455:Iodine / Q000378:metabolism; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007455:Iodine; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m