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Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography using Iodine-123 in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer: additional value over whole body planar imaging and SPECT.

Authors :
Barwick T
Murray I
Megadmi H
Drake WM
Plowman PN
Akker SA
Chew SL
Grossman AB
Avril N
Source :
European journal of endocrinology [Eur J Endocrinol] 2010 Jun; Vol. 162 (6), pp. 1131-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Mar 08.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic performance of co-registered single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) compared to Iodine-123 whole body gamma camera (WBGC) imaging and to SPECT alone in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.<br />Methods: WBGC and SPECT/CT (n=85) imaging of the neck and thorax was performed in 79 consecutive patients. Three experienced observers reviewed: i) WBGC images followed by ii) SPECT alone, and iii) co-registered SPECT/CT. Foci of increased radioiodine uptake were classified on a five-point scale. Biopsy, other imaging modalities, and clinical follow-up served as the reference standard.<br />Results: Twenty-two patients had local recurrence or metastatic thyroid cancer (11 were radioiodine negative), 9 had remnant thyroid tissue, and 54 had no evidence of disease. When classifying equivocal, probably, and definitely malignant findings as positive for malignancy, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were as follows: 41, 68, 31, and 77% for WBGC imaging; 45, 89, 59, and 82% for WBGC plus SPECT imaging; and 50, 100, 100, and 85% for WBGC plus SPECT/CT imaging respectively. The specificity was improved by the addition of SPECT (P=0.0002) and SPECT/CT (P<0.0001) than to WBGC imaging. SPECT/CT was also more specific than WBGC plus SPECT imaging (P=0.016). In a study-based analysis, SPECT/CT provided additional diagnostic information in 42% (36/85) of cases. SPECT/CT provided further characterization in 70% (63/90) of foci and improved the diagnostic confidence of all three observers.<br />Conclusion: The addition of SPECT/CT significantly improved the diagnostic information over Iodine-123 WBGC imaging and WBGC plus SPECT imaging alone.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1479-683X
Volume :
162
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
European journal of endocrinology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
20212015
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1530/EJE-09-1023