Vol 5, No 1 (2002)
Editorial
Submitted: 2012-01-23
Published online: 2002-01-17
Radioiodine-treatment (RIT) of functional thyroidal autonomy
Johannes Meller, C.O. Sahlman, Wolfgang Becker
DOI: 10.5603/nmr.v5i1.15430
·
Nucl. Med. Rev 2002;5(1):1-10.
Vol 5, No 1 (2002)
Editorial
Submitted: 2012-01-23
Published online: 2002-01-17
Abstract
Since 1942, therapy with radioiodine (RIT) has gained a major role
in the treatment of benign thyroid disorders, notably hyperthyroidism
caused by Graves’ disease or toxic multinodular goitre (thyroid
autonomy). In iodine deficient areas thyroid autonomy accounts
for 40-50% of all cases with hyperthyroidism. RIT has become
a cost-effective first-line procedure in autonomy-patients with
latent or overt hyperthyroidism, especially in the absence of a large
goitre, after thyroid surgery and in elderly patients with associated
conditions who carry a high intra- or perioperative risk.
Decisions concerning the definitive treatment of thyroid autonomy
should take into account previous episodes of hyperthyroidism,
objective parameters of risk stratification in euthyroid patients
as well as concomitant diseases and the probability of iodine exposure
in the future. In Central Europe the majority of investigators
prefer to estimate the therapeutic activity individually by a radioiodine
test. TCTUs (global 99m-Tc-pertechnetate thyroid uptake
under suppression) - based dose concepts have been proven
to be highly effective in the elimination of autonomy and carry
a low (< 10%) risk of postradioiodtherapeutic hypothyroidism.
Radioiodine therapy for autonomy has been found to be both
effective and safe and without major early or late side effects.
The most frequent complication is hypothyroidism requiring lifelong
follow-up.
Abstract
Since 1942, therapy with radioiodine (RIT) has gained a major role
in the treatment of benign thyroid disorders, notably hyperthyroidism
caused by Graves’ disease or toxic multinodular goitre (thyroid
autonomy). In iodine deficient areas thyroid autonomy accounts
for 40-50% of all cases with hyperthyroidism. RIT has become
a cost-effective first-line procedure in autonomy-patients with
latent or overt hyperthyroidism, especially in the absence of a large
goitre, after thyroid surgery and in elderly patients with associated
conditions who carry a high intra- or perioperative risk.
Decisions concerning the definitive treatment of thyroid autonomy
should take into account previous episodes of hyperthyroidism,
objective parameters of risk stratification in euthyroid patients
as well as concomitant diseases and the probability of iodine exposure
in the future. In Central Europe the majority of investigators
prefer to estimate the therapeutic activity individually by a radioiodine
test. TCTUs (global 99m-Tc-pertechnetate thyroid uptake
under suppression) - based dose concepts have been proven
to be highly effective in the elimination of autonomy and carry
a low (< 10%) risk of postradioiodtherapeutic hypothyroidism.
Radioiodine therapy for autonomy has been found to be both
effective and safe and without major early or late side effects.
The most frequent complication is hypothyroidism requiring lifelong
follow-up.
Keywords
thyroid autonomy; TCTUs; I-131; toxic multinodular goitre; radioiodine therapy
Title
Radioiodine-treatment (RIT) of functional thyroidal autonomy
Journal
Nuclear Medicine Review
Issue
Vol 5, No 1 (2002)
Article type
Editorial
Pages
1-10
Published online
2002-01-17
Page views
783
Article views/downloads
1483
DOI
10.5603/nmr.v5i1.15430
Bibliographic record
Nucl. Med. Rev 2002;5(1):1-10.
Keywords
thyroid autonomy
TCTUs
I-131
toxic multinodular goitre
radioiodine therapy
Authors
Johannes Meller
C.O. Sahlman
Wolfgang Becker
About this article