Utility of SPECT/CT as an adjunct to planar whole body I-131 imaging: liver metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer

Clin Nucl Med. 2009 Apr;34(4):247-8. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0b013e31819a1eb3.

Abstract

One of the major limitations of planar I-131 imaging is its lack of anatomic precision. SPECT/CT offers the benefit of precise anatomic localization that planar imaging lacks. Whether for confirmation of physiologic uptake or true pathology, SPECT/CT has an important role to play in clarifying equivocal findings. We present a case of papillary thyroid cancer metastatic to the liver, a relatively rare scenario. SPECT/CT allowed definitive lesion characterization at the time of the patient's visit to the nuclear medicine department.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / pharmacology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Whole Body Imaging / methods

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals