Nuclear Medicine in Thyroid Diseases in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients

Bilge Volkan-Salancı, Pınar Özgen Kıratlı1

  • 1Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ankara, Turkey Phone: +90 312 305 13 36

Insights

Thyroid diseases are rare in children, but nuclear medicine aids diagnosis and therapy. Careful management of radionuclide use is crucial to minimize risks like secondary cancers in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Thyroid diseases, both benign and malignant, are uncommon in pediatric and adolescent populations, with congenital hypothyroidism being a notable exception.
  • Nuclear medicine is integral to diagnosing and treating thyroid conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of current management algorithms for pediatric thyroid diseases.
  • To review the application of radionuclide therapy in pediatric and adolescent patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current algorithms and radionuclide therapy protocols.
  • Analysis of safety considerations for radioactivity use in pediatric populations.

Main Results:

  • Thyroid pathologies in children require specialized knowledge due to rarity and sensitivity to radiation.
  • Strict control over radioactivity is necessary to prevent adverse effects like secondary cancers.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of pediatric thyroid diseases necessitates a thorough understanding of available literature and therapeutic options.
  • Radionuclide therapy requires careful consideration of risks and benefits in the pediatric population.

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy01:25

Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that provides crucial insights into the body's physiological functions at a molecular level. It is an indispensable resource for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring various illnesses, notably cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
Fundamental Principles of PET
755
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT01:30

Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT

Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and...
1.6K
Positron Emission Tomography01:29

Positron Emission Tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body...
8.1K
Functions of Thyroid Hormones01:18

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
6.7K
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones01:20

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
9.0K
Isotopes and Radioisotopes01:28

Isotopes and Radioisotopes

In the early 1900s, English chemist Frederick Soddy realized that an element could have atoms with different masses that were chemically indistinguishable. These different types are called isotopes — atoms of the same element that differ in mass. Isotopes differ in mass because they have different numbers of neutrons but are chemically identical because they have the same number of protons. Soddy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for this discovery.
An isotope containing...
13.8K