[The application of Tc-99m thyroid scintigraphy in congenital hypothyroidism]

Technetium-99m pertechnetate thyroid scans were generally applied to patients with thyroid diseases including hypothyroidism. We reviewed the thyroid images of 126 neonates who were suspected to have congenital hypothyroidism by neonatal TSH screening and of 2 cases by clinical suspicion. Of these, 62 cases were of transient hyperthyrotropinemia or were normal. Twenty-nine cases were of ectopic thyroid (M:F = 9:20). Two cases were hemiagenesis, both were female. Eight cases were athyrosis (M:F = 4:4). Two cases were secondary hypothyroidism (M:F = 1:1). Twenty-five cases were eutopic hypothyroidism (M:F = 13:12). We considered that the Tc-99m thyroid scan is convenient and useful in the differential diagnosis of the etiology of congenital hypothyroidism.