Correlation of diffuse hepatic uptake with stimulated thyroglobulin levels and remnant thyroid uptake in post-radioiodine ablation scintigraphy among patients with differentiated thyroid cancer

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

10.22034/irjnm.2024.129829.1651

Abstract

Introduction: Diffuse hepatic uptake in post-radioiodine treatment whole-body scans is commonly observed. This study explored the correlation between hepatic absorption intensity, stimulated serum thyroglobulin levels, and remnant thyroid uptake in post-treatment whole-body scans.
Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 120 post-treatment whole-body scans from 60 patients. Fixed regions of interest (ROIs) in the liver, thyroid, and thigh areas were considered, and absorption values were systematically calculated. Patient information including corrected hepatic uptake, corrected remnant thyroid uptake, and thyroglobulin levels-was collected and subjected to statistical analysis.
Results: Statistical analysis revealed that stimulated pre-treatment Tg level (p=0.882), hepatic uptake (p=0.114), and remnant thyroid uptake (p=0.836) in post-treatment whole-body scans, had no statistical difference between the responded and non-responded groups. There was a significant positive association between stimulated pre-treatment Tg level and remnant thyroid uptake only in the responded group (p=0.001, r=0.586). Stimulated pre-treatment Tg level had no significant association with hepatic uptake in total patients (p=0.927), responded (p=0.831), and non-responded group (p=0.906). Assessing the relation of administered iodine amount with thyroid remnant uptake, revealed that there was a significant and reverse association between administered iodine amount and remnant thyroid uptake (p=0.000, r=-0.499).
Conclusion: Hepatic uptake, stimulated thyroglobulin levels, and the remaining thyroid tissue did not correlate with treatment response rates. A positive relationship exists between hepatic uptake and remaining thyroid uptake. A positive relationship only exists between stimulated pre-treatment Tg level and remnant thyroid uptake in the responded group. Additionally, a significant negative correlation with iodine intake suggests that the thyroid may be saturated.

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References

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Iranian Journal of Nuclear Medicine

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 April 2025

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