title: Randomized trials on radioactive iodine ablation of thyroid remnants for thyroid carcinoma--a critique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The dose of radioactive iodine ((131)I) required to ablate thyroid remnants following surgery for differentiated thyroid carcinoma is controversial. Typical administered activities range from less than 30 mCi up to 100 mCi, reflecting local practice and regulations governing allowable outpatient doses. This review examines the available randomized trials designed to assess the optimal ablative dose in this setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors identified three such trials published in 1987, 1991, and 1996, and critically reviewed them from a scientific and statistical point of view.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two of these studies were small and lacked adequate statistical power to answer the question, and the third was very poorly conducted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our opinion, the appropriate dose of (131)I for ablation of thyroid remnants remains undetermined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals