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Evaluation of cold areas on the thyroid scan with 99mTc-bleomycin
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine
|August 1, 1979
Summary
99mTc-bleomycin scintigraphy is not valuable for evaluating cold thyroid lesions found on 99mTc-pertechnetate scans. This diagnostic imaging technique showed low sensitivity for both malignant and benign thyroid conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Thyroid nodules are common, and differentiating benign from malignant lesions is crucial.
- 99mTc-pertechnetate scans identify cold areas, which require further investigation.
- 99mTc-bleomycin has been explored for its potential in evaluating thyroid abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic value of 99mTc-bleomycin scintigraphy in characterizing cold thyroid lesions identified by 99mTc-pertechnetate scans.
- To compare the accuracy of 99mTc-bleomycin scintigraphy with histological diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- 35 patients with cold areas on 99mTc-pertechnetate scans underwent 99mTc-bleomycin scintigraphy.
- Histological examination was performed for 31 patients to confirm diagnoses.
- Results of scintigraphy were correlated with histological findings.
Main Results:
- Only 1 of 6 malignant lesions was positive, and 2 were doubtful on 99mTc-bleomycin scans.
- In 25 patients with non-toxic colloid goitre, 1 was positive and 4 were doubtful.
- The sensitivity of 99mTc-bleomycin scintigraphy for differentiating benign from malignant cold thyroid lesions was low.
Conclusions:
- 99mTc-bleomycin scintigraphy demonstrates limited value in the further evaluation of cold thyroid lesions.
- This imaging modality is not recommended for characterizing indeterminate cold nodules found on 99mTc-pertechnetate scans.