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Visualization of suppressed thyroid tissue by technetium-99m-tertiary butyl isonitrile: an alternative to post-TSH
P Ramanathan1, R B Patel, N Subrahmanyam
1Radiation Medicine Centre, (B.A.R.C.), Tata Memorial Centre Annexe, Parel, Bombay, India.
Abstract:
The autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN) is a discrete, nodular structure which operates independently of pituitary control and without relation to the remaining thyroid tissue. Presently, for the visualization of a suppressed thyroid lobe, a patient has to undergo the thyrotropin (TSH) stimulation test, which has several disadvantages. In this study we have used tertiary butyl isonitrile (99mTc-TBI), well known as a myocardial imaging agent, for visualization of the suppressed lobe. Thirteen of fourteen patients studied demonstrated a contralateral lobe on a 99mTc-TBI scan which was not visualized with a 99mTc0(4) or 131I scan. Although it is not possible to demonstrate the autonomous nature of the hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule using 99mTc-TBI, we conclude that it is feasible to use this agent to visualize the lobe without the TSH test.