Abstract

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer including 80%– 90% of all thyroid cancer. PTC frequently spreads to regional lymph nodes, distant metastases with bloodstream dissemination are less frequent and they have poorer prognosis and decreased survival rate. Objective: To highlight the importance of the SPECT/CT hybrid imaging with I-131 in routine follow-up of the patients with the PTC. Case study: We present the case of the female patient with PTC with progression of pulmonary metastases, and with elevated levels of Thyroglobulin. After routine whole body imaging with I-131 we performed SPECT/CT imaging of the thorax for better evaluation and precise localization of metastasis. Discussion: Although hybrid imaging is not so often used in routine iodine studies, selected cases require additional diagnostic information only SPECT/CT can give. Some authors suggested the use of SPECT/CT more widely in the follow-up of thyroidectomized DTC patients, particularly when planar I-131 whole-body imaging is not conclusive. Conclusion: Due to its better diagnostic accuracy SPECT/CT can greatly facilitate staging, risk classification and management of PTC.

Key words: PTC-Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma; SPECT/CT; I-131 WBS; TSH; CT