title: Value of ¹³¹I SPECT/CT for the evaluation of differentiated thyroid cancer: a systematic review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we performed a systematic review of the current literature to assess the incremental value of (131)I single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT for the management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The search of PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to identify studies and reference lists for articles was conducted using the terms "SPECT or SPECT/CT or SPECT-CT or single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography and thyroid carcinoma or thyroid cancer." Studies reporting the clinical value of (131)I SPECT/CT were selected. All studies included were assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool (QUADAS-2). Two independent reviewers selected the studies, summarized and tabulated the data, and pooled estimates were obtained. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 14 studies involving 1,066 patients met the inclusion criteria. Data obtained included the impact of (131)I SPECT/CT on staging or risk classification (three studies), diagnostic accuracy (six studies), and follow-up (five studies).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Integrated SPECT/CT is a useful tool for the diagnosis, staging, risk stratification, and follow-up of DTC. The impact of (131)I SPECT/CT on the management of patients with thyroid cancer was evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 600 Yishan Rd., Shanghai 200233, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Zhong-Ling
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Hong-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Quan-Yong
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes