title: Data on repeated (131)I-WB scans and the incidence of positive Tg and negative (131)I-WBS in DTC patients from a 24 months study.
abstract: We present data on repeated iodine-131 whole body scans ((131)I-WBS) in differentiated thyroid cancer patients (DTC) after surgery and (131)I remnant ablation and on increased thyroglobulin (Tg) with negative (131)I-WBS, in a retrospective study at our hospital. A total of 106 patients (91 female and 15 male) treated with (131)I for DTC met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the patients was 45 years, age range 16-81 years. A total of 101 patients had complete 24 months follow-up following (131)I remnant ablation treatment. The mean (131)I dose administered after the first 6 months of follow- up was 3GBq while mean total dose was 4.9GBq, range 1.1-7.4GBq. Our results showed that at the end of the first 6 months post treatment, 58/101 patients had a negative (131)I-WBS. By the end of the 4th (131)I treatment at 24th months, the remaining 43 patients became negative for (131)I-WBS. We found increased Tg and negative (131)I-WBS in 2 of the 101 patients at the 24th months examination the so called Tg elevated negative (131)I-WBS (TENIS syndrome). The possible explanation of this syndrome is discussed. In conclusion, our study in DTC operated patients does not support the use of repeated diagnostic (131)I-WBS after an undetectable Tg because we found no Tg rebound in patients with negative (131)I-WBS, after 24 months of follow-up with serial measurements of Tg on and of suppression with L thyroxine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University College Hospital, P.M.B. 5116 Dugbe Post Office, Ibadan, South West Nigeria. ksadedapo@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kayode S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Adedapo
authors.forename: Mboyo Di Tamba
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Vangu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000097:blood*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013954:Thyroglobulin