Abstract

Objective: Objective. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between uptake and weight of thyroid gland using Technetium- 99m-pertechnetate scintigraphy in the patients with various thyroid gland disorders.

Materials and Methods: The study included 111 patients (73 female, 38 male) with a mean age of 42.3±15.6 years (range: 18- 77). Thyroid lobes with respect to the scintigraphic findings were classified into 6 groups; normal (n=74), hypoactive nodular (n=57), hyperactive nodular (n=29), minimal diffuse hyperplasic (n=52), intermediate diffuse hyperplasic (n=2), and mixed (hypoactive plus hyperactive) nodular (n=5) thyroid lobe. The weight and uptake ratios of each lobe were also measured. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey's test. The correlation of these parameters was performed with Pearson correlation analysis.

Results: The uptake ratios obtained in hypoactive nodular and normal thyroid lobe groups were significantly lower than those in hyperactive nodular and minimal diffuse hyperplastic lobe groups. The weight values obtained in mixed nodular and hypoactive nodular lobe groups were significantly higher than those groups of normal and minimal diffuse hyperplastic lobe. In all groups excluding minimal diffuse hyperplasic lobe group, there was no significant correlation between uptake and weight values.

Conclusion: As a result, changes in uptake ratio and weight of thyroid were independent in various thyroid diseases. Because of the advantages including low dosimeter, easy availability and low cost, Tc-99m pertechnetate seems to be the best option for thyroid scintigraphy for uptake and weight measurement.