ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This review of the diagnostic uses of radiotracers in thyroid cancer begins with radionuclide imaging of the intact thyroid gland for distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules, in both intentional and incidental diagnostic settings. This is followed by a discussion of whole body radioiodine imaging after thyroidectomy and in the follow-up of thyroid cancer. Patient preparation and imaging techniques are reviewed. Dosimetry of thyroid remnants, cancer metastases, and whole organs such as the lungs and bone marrow are discussed. Diagnostic imaging of well-differentiated, poorly differentiated, or anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with nonradioiodine tracers is explored, using such tracers as F-18 FDG, Thallium-201, Technetium-99m sestamibi, and Tc-99m tetrofosmine. Radionuclide imaging in medullary thyroid carcinoma is also reviewed, using somatostatin analogs such as indium-111 octreotide or tracers concentrated by neurosecretory granules, such as iodine-123 MIBG or iodine-131 MIBG. Work on new approaches is aimed to ˆll in gaps among the above diagnostic methods.
