Role of radionuclide imaging in hyperthyroid patients with no clinical suspicion of nodules

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the role of radionuclide imaging of hyperthyroid patients with no suspicion of nodules. (99)Tc(m) radionuclide scans performed on all 190 patients referred over a 2-year period with symptoms and thyroid function tests compatible with thyrotoxicosis were retrospectively reviewed. 73% of patients were referred by a hospital clinician and 27% were referred direct from the general practitioner. Referral letters and, where applicable, the clinical notes were reviewed and patients with suspected thyroid nodules were excluded. The results of (99)Tc(m) thyroid scans of the 190 patients (age range 23-93 years, mean 48 years) were reviewed. 152 (80%) patients had Graves' disease, 10 (5.3%) had Graves' disease with nodules, 6 (3.2%) had Graves' disease with non-functioning nodules, 5 (2.6%) had viral thyroiditis, 5 (2.6%) had autonomously functioning nodules and 12 (6.3%) were normal studies. Therefore, 20% of patients had a diagnosis other than solely Graves' disease. These diagnoses are important with respect to clinical management. In conclusion, routine radionuclide imaging is worthwhile, as a significant proportion of patients with clinical "Graves' disease" in this study would have received incorrect treatment without the result of this scan.