Pathology results in [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography of the thyroid gland.
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate pathologically increased uptake of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in positron emission tomography (PET) results of the thyroid gland. Results of 18F-FDG PET and [99mTc]pertechnetate scintigraphy of the thyroid gland are shown, compared to each other and discussed. In a retrospective study 16 patients underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET and [99mTc]pertechnetate scintigraphy of the thyroid gland within 3 weeks. In addition, an examination of the thyroid gland by using ultrasound and laboratory tests was carried out. The 18F-FDG PET studies were carried out on a dedicated whole-ring PET scanner. Eight patients had a pathological FDG uptake in the thyroid and a cold nodule in [99mTc]pertechnetate scintigraphy of the thyroid gland (in 7/8 cases histology showed malignancy). Five patients had an inhomogeneous FDG uptake in the thyroid gland and were suspected of thyroiditis in 18F-FDG PET (in 3/5 cases thyroiditis was confirmed). Three patients had an especially low FDG uptake compared to normal physiological FDG uptake (no malignancy). Results from studies using 18F-FDG represent a growing body of evidence showing the differentiation between malignant and benign disease: we saw many pathological results in the thyroid gland. High uptake of 18F-FDG in the thyroid gland suggests possible malignancy. Thyroiditis can only be suspected based upon the results of 18F-FDG PET. We conclude that 18F-FDG PET has a potential clinical impact for detecting possible malignant lesions of the thyroid gland, but further studies, in which a higher number of patients are evaluated, are necessary.
Wolf
G
G
Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria. ge.wolf@kfunigraz.ac.at
Aigner
R M
RM
Schaffler
G
G
Schwarz
T
T
Krippl
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000379:methods*
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18