Korean Journal of Radiology

The Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회)
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Diffuse Thyroid Uptake Incidentally Found on 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Subjects without Cancer History

  • Lee, Ji Young (Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University) ;
  • Choi, Joon Young (Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Yoon-Ho (Center for Health Promotion, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Hyun, Seung Hyup (Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Moon, Seung Hwan (Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Jang, Su Jin (Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University) ;
  • Choe, Yearn Seong (Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Kyung-Han (Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Byung-Tae (Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
  • Published : 2013.06.01
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Abstract

Objective: We investigated the clinical significance of incidental diffuse thyroid uptake (DTU) on 18F-FDG PET in subjects without a history of cancer. Materials and Methods: This study included 2062 studies from adults who underwent 18F-FDG PET as a cancer screening program. Subjects were divided into the following two groups: with (group I) or without (group II) DTU. The presence of DTU and the thyroid visual grading score were compared with thyroid function tests, serum anti-microsomal antibody (AMA) levels, and the presence of diffuse parenchymal change (DPC) on ultrasonography (USG). Results: DTU was found in 6.6% of the scans (137/2062). Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and AMA levels were significantly higher in group I than in group II. Increased AMA level (55.1%) and DPC (48.7%) were more frequently found in group I (p < 0.001). The proportion of subjects with any abnormal results in serum free thyroxine, triiodothyronine, TSH, or AMA levels or DPC on USG was significantly higher in group I than in group II (71.5% vs. 10.6%, p < 0.001), and was significantly and gradually increased according to the visual grading score group (0 vs. 1-2 vs. 3-4 = 10.6% vs. 58.5% vs. 90.9%, p < 0.001). TSH and is AMA levels were significantly increased according to the visual grading score. Conclusion: The presence or degree of incidental DTU on 18F-FDG PET is closely correlated with increased serum AMA and TSH levels, and the presence of DPC on USG. Therefore, the most plausible pathological cause of DTU may be cell damage by an autoimmune mechanism.

Keywords

References

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