The thyroid scan in Hashimoto's thyroiditis: the great mimic

Nucl Med Commun. 1988 Sep;9(9):639-45. doi: 10.1097/00006231-198809000-00006.

Abstract

We have reviewed our experience over the past 5 years of 32 thyroid scans in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A wide variety of images were obtained, the most common finding being that of an enlarged gland with diffusely increased tracer uptake, a pattern identical to that found in Graves' disease (eight patients). Of the remainder, four scans were normal, four showed an enlarged gland with normal tracer uptake, five a multinodular gland with normal tracer uptake, five a multinodular gland with high tracer uptake, five a single non-functioning nodule and in one patient there was low tracer uptake by the gland. It is apparent that the thyroid scan in Hashimoto's thyroiditis can mimic a wide range of thyroid disorders. Thus, taken in isolation, the scan findings can be misleading and should be evaluated in conjunction with current biochemistry.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Graves Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
  • Thyroid Gland / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m