[Electroroentgenoscanning of the thyroid gland]

A significant drawback of the radioisotopic scanning of the thyroid gland is the absence of a distinct knowledge of topographo-anatomical associations of this gland with other organs and tissues. To eliminate the mentioned drawback the method of electroscanning (combined electroroentgenography and radioisotopic scanning in two interperpendicular projections) was introduced into practice of the regional hospital. Electroscannograms were prepared on paper by means of the apparatus made in the USSR: roentgenograph ERGA-MP, gammatopograph GT-2, and roentgenodiagnostic unit ARD-2. The principle of the method consists in recording the scannogram of the gland on the preliminarily prepared electroroentgenogram of the cervical area and of the upper part of the chest in the horizontal position of the patient. Lead labels attached to definite areas of the patient's skin were used for matching the scannogram with the electroroentogenogram. This method differs from routine seannography of the gland by the fact that it provides an additional topography-anatomical information; it can be used in any radioisotopic diagnostic laboratory equipped with a scanner.