Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Identification and Protection of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve during Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy
Published on: October 24, 2025
Radioactive iodine-125 seed localization as an aid in reoperative neck surgery
Michael D Bortz1, Amna Khokar1, David J Winchester1
1NorthShore University HealthSystem, 2650 Ridge Ave., Walgreen Suite 2507, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA.
Background:
Scarring and disrupted tissue planes add to already-complex neck anatomy and make localization of nonpalpable pathology difficult in cervical endocrine reoperations. We describe the use of radioactive iodine-125 seed localization (RSL) in 6 patients with metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 2 with recurrent hyperparathyroidism.
Methods:
Eight patients had 2-D ultrasound-guided RSL of the target lesion, 0-3 days preoperatively. Intraoperative gamma probe (Neoprobe) was used to plan incision placement and localize the implanted seed. Recorded operative variables included: number of lymph nodes (LNs) harvested, estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, length of stay (LOS) and RSL and operative complications.
Results:
All patients had successful resection of the targeted area and removal of the radioactive seed. There was no seed migration. Two complications occurred in the thyroid group.
Conclusion:
Radioactive iodine 125 seeds facilitate successful localization of endocrine pathology during reoperative cervical procedures.
