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Thyroid screening in congenital hypothyroidism: a review of 41 cases
P T Brooks1, N D Archard, H M Carty
1Radiology Department, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospitals, UK.
Insights
Thyroid scintigraphy aids in diagnosing congenital hypothyroidism in infants. This imaging technique helps identify thyroid abnormalities, including ectopic thyroid tissue, following newborn screening.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a common endocrine disorder in newborns.
- Routine screening for CH is crucial for early detection and intervention.
- Thyroid scintigraphy plays a role in evaluating thyroid anatomy and function in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of thyroid scintigraphy in infants referred after screening for congenital hypothyroidism.
- To categorize the thyroid gland abnormalities identified in this cohort.
- To determine the diagnostic value of scintigraphy as an adjunct to biochemical screening.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of thyroid scintigraphy results in 41 infants.
- Infants were referred following positive newborn screening for CH.
- Data collected included scintigraphic findings and patient demographics.
Main Results:
- Athyreosis was observed in 35% of infants.
- Ectopic thyroid tissue was found in 45% of infants.
- Normal thyroid glands and other abnormalities each accounted for 10% of cases. A 4:1 female to male ratio was noted.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid scintigraphy is a valuable tool for evaluating infants with suspected congenital hypothyroidism.
- It effectively differentiates between athyreosis, ectopic thyroid, and normal thyroid gland anatomy.
- Scintigraphy complements biochemical screening, aiding in accurate diagnosis and management planning.
Abstract:
Forty-one infants have been referred for thyroid scintigraphy following routine screening for congenital hypothyroidism: 14 (35%) were athyreotic, 19 (45%) had an ectopic thyroid, four (10%) were normal and four (10%) demonstrated other abnormalities. There was a female: male ratio of 4:1. Thyroid scintigraphy is a useful adjunct to biochemical screening.