Abstract

SPECT/CT in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Author(s): Torsten Kuwert and Daniela Schmidt

Scintigraphic imaging of the distribution of isotopes of radioiodine is frequently performed for staging patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Planar g‑camera imaging, as well as SPECT, visualize foci of radioiodine accumulation with high sensitivity. However, owing to only poor visualization of the morphology by these techniques, their diagnostic accuracy is limited. This limitation is overcome when hybrid systems integrating a SPECT camera with a x‑ray CT scanner are used. Recent evidence has demonstrated that approximately a third of patients with diagnostically unclear foci of radioiodine accumulation will benefit from the use of SPECT/CT, in terms of therapeutic management. Therefore, SPECT/CT is rapidly evolving as a new clinical tool in differentiated thyroid carcinoma.