open access

Vol 26 (2023): Continuous Publishing
Research paper
Submitted: 2022-07-01
Accepted: 2022-09-04
Published online: 2023-02-16
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The usefulness of [99mTc]MIBI scintigraphy in the diagnostic algorithm of ultrasonographical suspected thyroid nodules by using EU-TIRADS criteria

Nevena Manevska1, Tanja Makazlieva1, Bojana Stoilovska Rizova1, Sinisa Stojanoski1
·
Nucl. Med. Rev 2023;26:29-33.
Affiliations
  1. Institute of Pathophisiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University, North Macedonia

open access

Vol 26 (2023): Continuous Publishing
Original articles
Submitted: 2022-07-01
Accepted: 2022-09-04
Published online: 2023-02-16

Abstract

Background: Although not yet involved in the algorithm of thyroid nodules, 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile ([99mTc]MIBI) scintigraphy may help in the individual diagnostic workup of a thyroid patient, especially where indeterminate fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of [99mTc]MIBI thyroid scintigraphy in the diagnostic algorithm of thyroid nodules, particularly in ultrasound EU-TIRADS 4 or 5 lesions, that cytologically were either indeterminate or benign.

Material and methods: A retrospective randomized study, including 42 thyroid patients, with mean age 47 ± 17 years, was conducted. [99mTc]MIBI scan was compared with ultrasound (US) EU-TIRADS criteria, pertechnetate scan, FNAB and histopathological findings for the differentiation of malignant thyroid nodules from benign lesions.

Results: The US mainly detected hypoechoic inhomogeneous presentation of the thyroid nodules (35/42, 83.33%), 4 cases with isoechoic nodules and 2 cases presented with hyperechoic thyroid nodules. Histopathology revealed malignancy in 15/42 (35.71%), while all other patients 27/42 (64.29%) were benign. Visual analysis score showed that patients scored with 1+ and 2+ were statistically significant to be benign, while 13 vs. 10 pts that were visual score 3+ were malignant vs. benign (p > 0.05). Sensitivity was 100%, while specificity was very low 22.22%, PPV was 41.67%.

Conclusions: Even [99mTc]MIBI scan is not routinely used as a daily practice diagnostic tool of thyroid nodules, we will further apply it on a larger group of patients and try to quantify the uptake of the radiotracer to see whether it will help in the diagnostic algorithm of thyroid nodules.

Abstract

Background: Although not yet involved in the algorithm of thyroid nodules, 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile ([99mTc]MIBI) scintigraphy may help in the individual diagnostic workup of a thyroid patient, especially where indeterminate fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of [99mTc]MIBI thyroid scintigraphy in the diagnostic algorithm of thyroid nodules, particularly in ultrasound EU-TIRADS 4 or 5 lesions, that cytologically were either indeterminate or benign.

Material and methods: A retrospective randomized study, including 42 thyroid patients, with mean age 47 ± 17 years, was conducted. [99mTc]MIBI scan was compared with ultrasound (US) EU-TIRADS criteria, pertechnetate scan, FNAB and histopathological findings for the differentiation of malignant thyroid nodules from benign lesions.

Results: The US mainly detected hypoechoic inhomogeneous presentation of the thyroid nodules (35/42, 83.33%), 4 cases with isoechoic nodules and 2 cases presented with hyperechoic thyroid nodules. Histopathology revealed malignancy in 15/42 (35.71%), while all other patients 27/42 (64.29%) were benign. Visual analysis score showed that patients scored with 1+ and 2+ were statistically significant to be benign, while 13 vs. 10 pts that were visual score 3+ were malignant vs. benign (p > 0.05). Sensitivity was 100%, while specificity was very low 22.22%, PPV was 41.67%.

Conclusions: Even [99mTc]MIBI scan is not routinely used as a daily practice diagnostic tool of thyroid nodules, we will further apply it on a larger group of patients and try to quantify the uptake of the radiotracer to see whether it will help in the diagnostic algorithm of thyroid nodules.

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Keywords

thyroid nodule, [99mTc]MIBI, cytology ultrasound, EU-TIRADS

About this article
Title

The usefulness of [99mTc]MIBI scintigraphy in the diagnostic algorithm of ultrasonographical suspected thyroid nodules by using EU-TIRADS criteria

Journal

Nuclear Medicine Review

Issue

Vol 26 (2023): Continuous Publishing

Article type

Research paper

Pages

29-33

Published online

2023-02-16

Page views

2796

Article views/downloads

517

DOI

10.5603/NMR.a2023.0002

Bibliographic record

Nucl. Med. Rev 2023;26:29-33.

Keywords

thyroid nodule
[99mTc]MIBI
cytology ultrasound
EU-TIRADS

Authors

Nevena Manevska
Tanja Makazlieva
Bojana Stoilovska Rizova
Sinisa Stojanoski

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