The use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after initial treatment

Abstract

Establishment of new centers for nuclear medicine in our country made diagnostic and treatment procedures more accessible for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). It includes radioiodine therapy, considered as a non-alternative method of treatment, and positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), which is essential in some clinical cases. For many years suspected tumor relapse with increased level of thyroglobulin and negative radioiodine scan was the only indication for PET/CT use among patients with DTC. But over the last decade the indications for PET/CT use in DTC cases expanded significantly. This review is aimed to analyze currently available data on PET/CT in DTC patients, its indications for use, advantages and limitations, new trends and recommendations.

Keywords

• positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography
• differentiated thyroid cancer
• 131i whole body scintigraphy
• radioiodine ablation
• thyroglobulin