Enhanced Differentiation of Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis Types Using Semi-Quantitative 99mTc-MIBI Uptake Analysis: A Pilot Study

Med Sci Monit. 2024 Sep 25:30:e945444. doi: 10.12659/MSM.945444.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Technetium (99mTc)-labelled Methoxy-2-Isobutylisonitrile (MIBI) is a diagnostic lipophilic cationic radiotracer used to evaluate the cardiac, breast, thyroid, and parathyroid pathology. This study aimed to evaluate the role of MIBI combined with Tc-99m pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy, thyroid ultrasonography, and measurement of thyrotropin, thyroid hormones, and autoantibodies to subtype amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) and the contribution of semi-quantitative analysis of MIBI uptake. MATERIAL AND METHODS This cross-sectional study included 36 patients with AIT who underwent thyrotropin, thyroid hormone, and autoantibody analysis using chemiluminescent method, ultrasonography, pertechnetate, and MIBI thyroid scintigraphy with semi-quantitative uptake, including calculation of the target-to-background ratio (TBR) with 2 different background regions. The MIBI washout rate (WR) was analyzed in all groups. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and the receiver operating characteristic curve - area under the curve (ROC-AUC). The results were compared with the control group. RESULTS Based on visual and semi-quantitative analyses, patients were successfully categorized into AIT groups (AIT-1, AIT-2 and AIT-3) but the latter method enabled better differentiation of MIBI uptake between all groups. Additionally, ROC-AUC analysis determined cutoff values which enabled discerning between AIT-1 and AIT-2 groups, and AIT-1 and AIT-3 groups. WR showed no significant difference between all AIT groups and controls (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Visual MIBI analysis enabled differentiation between AIT-1 and 2 groups, but the method was substantially improved with semi-quantitative analysis, especially in defining AIT-3 group. However, multicenter collaboration with larger studies is needed to standardize the method and obtain more accurate and consistent results.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amiodarone* / adverse effects
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • ROC Curve
  • Radionuclide Imaging / methods
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi*
  • Thyroid Gland* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Gland* / metabolism
  • Thyroid Hormones / metabolism
  • Thyrotoxicosis* / chemically induced
  • Thyrotoxicosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyrotropin / blood
  • Thyrotropin / metabolism
  • Ultrasonography / methods

Substances

  • Amiodarone
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
  • Thyrotropin
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Autoantibodies