False-positive I-131 uptake at a tracheostomy site. Discernment with Tl-201 imaging

I-131 whole-body imaging is used in the follow-up evaluation of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The authors report a case of spurious I-131 localization at a patient's tracheostomy stoma. Demonstration of this I-131 uptake as false positive was achieved by showing no Tl-201 localization at this site and a low thyroglobulin while the patient was hypothyroid. This strategy may discern spurious I-131 uptake and help avoid unnecessary I-131 therapy.