title: (99m)Tc-MIBI Uptake in a Thyroid Adenoma with Diffuse Adipose Metaplasia.
abstract: A 71-year-old female underwent a (99m)Tc-MIBI scan to characterize a cold nodule (30 mm) of the left thyroid lobe. The nodule showed diffuse uptake and retention of the radiotracer. After resection, histological examination demonstrated a microfollicular adenoma with diffuse white adipose metaplasia. Although mitochondria in brown adipose tissue have been widely studied, we have only a limited understanding of the relevance of mitochondria in white adipose tissue. Active mitochondria are present in white adipocytes, and this may account for the MIBI uptake, mimicking a hyperproliferation pattern, in our patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, via Ospedale, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paone
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mazzucchelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Beata Vergine Hospital, Mendrisio, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peloni
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Beata Vergine Hospital, Mendrisio, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fasolini
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, via Ospedale, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giovanella
keywords: Adenoma; Adipocyte; Metaplasia; Tc MIBI; Thyroid