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Simultaneous Assessment of Thyroid Structure and Function with the Gamma Camera using Pertechnetate:A Comparison with Radioiodine and Biochemical Diagnosis
Author(s) -
Marion M. A.,
Ronai P. M.,
Pain R. W.,
Wise P. H.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1974.tb03208.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pertechnetate , thyroid , gamma camera , nuclear medicine , technetium , thyroid function , hormone , technetium 99m , endocrinology , scintigraphy
Summary: Thyroid structure and function have been simultaneously assessed using 99m Tc‐pertechnetate and a gamma camera in an initial ‘pilot’ study using 83 patients and a subsequent study of 512 patients. The morphology of the gland shown by this technique has been compared with rectilinear scans using both 99m Tc and 131 I. The results show that gamma camera scintiphotos with 99m Tc provide superior delineation of thyroid structure compared with the rectilinear scanner using either 99m Tc or 131 I. Thyroid function assessed by 99m Tc uptake at 40 minutes and measured with the gamma camera has been compared with 3 hr and 24 hr 131 I uptakes and also with biochemical estimations of total thyroxine, thyro‐binding index and free thyroxine index. The 99m Tc uptake was shown to be unreliable in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, but it is as reliable as 131 I uptakes in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Visualisation of gland structure is always necessary, for the 99m Tc uptake is less reliable in nodular goitres than in diffuse goitres. The currently available measurements of circulating thyroid hormone are more accurate than uptake measurements in the assessment of thyroid function.