Technetium-99m tetrofosmin imaging in patients with subacute thyroiditis

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Inflammatory Diseases

Background:

• Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an inflammatory condition of the thyroid gland.
• Thyrotoxicosis and painful goitre are common clinical presentations of SAT.
• Standard technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy shows reduced uptake in SAT, indicating impaired thyroid function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the significance of technetium-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy in patients with subacute thyroiditis.
• To compare technetium-99m tetrofosmin uptake with clinical parameters in SAT.
• To assess the potential of technetium-99m tetrofosmin as a marker for SAT disease activity.

Main Methods:

• Six patients with subacute thyroiditis underwent technetium-99m pertechnetate and technetium-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy during acute and recovery phases.
• Thyroid uptake of technetium-99m tetrofosmin was assessed using early and delayed imaging.
• The thyroid uptake/background (T/B) ratio of technetium-99m tetrofosmin was correlated with serum C-reactive protein concentration.

Main Results:

• Technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy demonstrated markedly reduced thyroid uptake during the acute stage of SAT.
• Technetium-99m tetrofosmin imaging revealed diffuse increased uptake in the thyroid region in both acute and recovery stages.
• Different tetrofosmin clearance curves were observed between the acute and recovery stages.
• The T/B ratio of technetium-99m tetrofosmin correlated with serum C-reactive protein levels.

Conclusions:

• Technetium-99m tetrofosmin uptake in the thyroid may reflect the inflammatory process in subacute thyroiditis.
• Technetium-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy shows potential as a diagnostic tool for assessing SAT activity and severity.
• This imaging modality offers a novel approach to monitoring inflammatory thyroid conditions.