Unusual false-positive radioiodine whole-body scans in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Clin Nucl Med. 1997 Jun;22(6):380-4. doi: 10.1097/00003072-199706000-00007.

Abstract

Radioiodine whole-body imaging is the most accurate method in the diagnosis of metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer. However, false-positive images rarely occur. The authors report unusual cases of thymic hyperplasia and post-traumatic skull changes mimicking mediastinal, skull, or cerebral metastases. Nonthyroidal causes were diagnosed by other radionuclide studies (bone and brain scintigraphy) and CT scans. Follow-up and undetectable thyroglobulin levels helped confirm the benign cause.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / secondary
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Iodine Radioisotopes*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Middle Aged
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Skull Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull Neoplasms / secondary
  • Temporal Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Bone / surgery
  • Thymus Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroglobulin / analysis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Whole-Body Counting*

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thyroglobulin