Open AccessThe Role of 18 F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Thyroid Neoplasms
Author(s) -
Lang Brian HungHin,
Law Tsz Ting
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0256
Subject(s) - medicine , positron emission tomography , fluorodeoxyglucose , radiology , thyroid , thyroid carcinoma , thyroid cancer , incidentaloma , thyroid nodules , nuclear medicine , clinical practice , family medicine
Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Evaluate and apply evidence regarding the use of FDG‐PET scans in patients with thyroid nodules. Identify differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients who could benefit from FDG‐PET scanning.This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com 18 F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has established itself as an important imaging modality in many oncological and nononcological specialties and, as a consequence, it is increasingly being used in clinical practice. Since the first report of FDG being taken up by metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) cells >20 years ago, various groups of investigators have explored the potential role of FDG‐PET scanning in patients with benign and malignant thyroid neoplasms. With the increasing demand for FDG‐PET scanning, clinicians are faced with the challenge of managing an increasing number of FDG‐PET–detected thyroid incidentalomas because their significance remains unclear. The aims of this review are to address some of these issues, specifically, the clinical significance of FDG‐PET–detected thyroid incidentalomas, the ability of FDG‐PET to characterize thyroid nodules, especially those with indeterminate fine needle aspiration cytology results, and the role of FDG‐PET in patients with confirmed primary DTC and with suspected recurrent DTC, by reviewing the current literature.