title: A clear cell variant of follicular carcinoma presenting as an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule.
abstract: We report a case of an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN) that proved to be almost exclusively a clear cell variant of follicular carcinoma. AFTNs are generally felt to be benign lesions with exceptions forming the basis of case reports. Likewise, clear cell tumors of the thyroid are rare. To our knowledge, this combination of two unusual thyroid conditions has not been previously reported. The initial scans of this patient were so characteristic for a degenerating AFTN that attention was first directed toward a very large contralateral lobe. While it is debatable whether all AFTNs should be biopsied, on the basis of this and other cases, it is recommended that AFTNs that contain a central photopenic area on scan be biopsied to be sure that cystic degeneration, a commonly seen phenomenon in larger AFTNs, is indeed present rather than a malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073-6769, USA.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Balon
mesh_terms: D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013974:Thyroxine