Therapeutic impact of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has proved effective in detecting recurrent or metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in the follow-up of operated DTC patients with high thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and negative findings on radioiodine whole-body scan. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of PET/CT on the planning of appropriate treatment for known recurrent disease in operated DTC patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The study concerned 44 consecutive DTC patients (36 papillary, 8 follicular), who underwent total thyroidectomy and thyroid remnant ablation with (131)I and PET/CT. All patients had proven or strongly suspected recurrent disease judging from neck ultrasound (US) and fine-needle aspiration cytology, and detectable basal Tg levels.

RESULTS:

PET/CT findings were positive in 25/44 patients (56.81 %) and negative in 19. A positive PET/CT result predicted resectable tumour recurrences in 19/25 patients, but also detected additional tumour sites that prompted changes to the treatment plan in 6/25 patients (24 %). A negative PET/CT result led to clinical monitoring for 11/19 patients (57.89 %).

CONCLUSIONS:

PET/CT can help select patients, who might benefit from a tailored therapy by improving the detection of local recurrences not apparent on neck US or metastases.

• Authors: Fabio Pomerri, Anna Rita Cervino, Faise Al Bunni, Laura Evangelista, Pier Carlo Muzzio
• Journal: La Radiologia medica (Radiol Med) Vol. 119 Issue 2 Pg. 97-102 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1826-6983 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 24277507 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Iodine Radioisotopes
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biopsy, Fine-Needle
• Female
• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
• Humans
• Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
• Iodine Radioisotopes
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multimodal Imaging
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Patient Care Planning
• Positron-Emission Tomography
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Retrospective Studies
• Thyroid Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery)
• Thyroidectomy
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed