Whole-Body I-131 Metastatic Survey as an Aide in Determining Functional Thyroid Metastases

Abstract

Whole-body metastatic survey scans are performed in order to determine the extent of metastases, the quality of tumor uptake, and whether the patient will benefit from therapeutic doses of radioiodine. Periodic whole-body scans also help to evaluate the success of radioiodine therapy or the necessity to repeat therapeutic treatments. Using a dual-probe rectilinear scanner and supplementing with scintillation camera images, we have found this procedure useful in detecting metastatic and focal thyroid cancer.