Journal article
PET-CT scans in recurrent or persistent differentiated thyroid cancer: is there added utility beyond conventional imaging?
Surgery, Vol.148(6), pp.1082-1090
12/2010
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2010.09.015
PMID: 21134537
Abstract
Integrated positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) may have advantages over conventional imaging in localizing recurrent or persistent differentiated thyroid cancer.
A retrospective review of patients who underwent PET-CT scans was performed. Results were compared with contrast CT, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, and radioactive iodine (RAI) scans.
Thirty patients (mean age, 49.9 ± 17 years) underwent 36 PET-CT scans, mostly for elevated thyroglobulin levels and negative RAI scans (30 scans). Fifty percent (18/36) of PET-CT scans showed increased uptake in the neck, 11 of 36 (31%) in the chest, 3 of 36 (8.3%) in bone, and 6 of 36 (16.6%) in other areas. PET-CT had overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values of 73.9%, 61.5%, and 77.3% respectively. To assess the added value of PET-CT, we focused on the 21 scans performed after conventional imaging in 20 patients. PET-CT provided additional information in 2 (10%) patients, both of whom were spared interventions. However, PET-CT underestimated extent of disease in 3 (15%) patients and led to unnecessary interventions in 3 (15%) additional patients.
PET-CT has reasonable sensitivity in the detection of recurrent thyroid cancer. However, the added value of PET-CT may be seen only in a limited number of patients after good quality, conventional imaging. Further studies are needed to determine the most cost-effective approach to managing these patients.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- PET-CT scans in recurrent or persistent differentiated thyroid cancer: is there added utility beyond conventional imaging?
- Creators
- Geeta Lal - Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. Geeta-lal@uiowa.eduTricia FairchildJames R HoweRonald J WeigelSonia L SuggYusuf Menda
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Surgery, Vol.148(6), pp.1082-1090
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.surg.2010.09.015
- PMID
- 21134537
- ISSN
- 0039-6060
- eISSN
- 1532-7361
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2010
- Academic Unit
- Radiology; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Anatomy and Cell Biology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Surgery; Radiation Oncology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9984024552902771
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