The scintigraphic study of the thyroid gland constitutes one of the fundamental methods for the study of functional changes in the gland, also providing useful information for the characterization of nodular lesions. It is also a fundamental tool for planning radio-metabolic treatment with radio-iodine in patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer.
Imaging of the parathyroid glands allows the characterization and localization of hyperfunctioning lesions (parathyroid adenomas) contributing to more effective planning and less invasive surgical removal.
Thyroid and endocrinological diagnostics
Imaging methods essential for the study of functional changes in the endocrine glands.
Examinations and diagnosis
Thyroid scintigraphy
Principal indications
Evaluation of benign and malignant thyroid pathology. Functional disorders.
Examination procedure.
Non-fasting patient, bring medication list. Intravenous injection with 99mTc. Performance of examination after 20 minutes.
Examination duration.
Approximately 30-60 minutes.
Whole body scintigraphy/SPECT-CT with radioiodine
Principal indications.
Localization of metastatic lesions and follow-up of disease in patients with well-differentiated thyroid tumors.
Examination procedure
Fasting patient which should be prolonged for at least 2 hours after taking radiopharmaceutical. Suspension of replacement therapy or performance of stimulation test with rh-TSH according to physician's prescription. Oral administration of radioiodine. Investigation can be performed after radiometabolic treatment with radioiodine. Performance of the investigation 48 hours after radioiodine administration.
Duration of the examination
1 hour and 30 minutes.
Scintigraphy/SPECT-CT of the parathyroids
Principal indications.
Search for hyperfunctioning and/or ectopic parathyroids.
Examination procedure.
Non-fasting patient, bring medication list. Intravenous injection with 99mTcSestamibi. Examination performed after 30 minutes and late 2 hours post injection.
Duration of examination.
2 hours and 30 minutes.
Whole body scintigraphy/SPECT-CT of chromaffin tissue
Main indications
In oncology, staging, restaging and evaluation of treatment response in patients with neural crest-derived tumors (neuroblastomas, pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas).
Examination procedure.
Fasting patient, discontinuation of interfering medication as prescribed. Premedication with Lugol's solution. Intravenous injection of the tracer. Performance of examination after 20 min and late 2h post injection. In case of oncological indications, the investigation includes an additional imaging session the next day.
Duration of the examination
2 h 30 min. Additional session on the following day: 45 minutes.
Corticosurrenal scintigraphy/SPECT-CT
Main indications
Study of disease processes characterized by hyperfunction of the adrenal cortical (Cushing's syndrome, Conn's disease, virilizing syndromes).
Examination procedure.
Fasting patient, discontinuation of interfering medication as prescribed. Premedication with Lugol's solution. Intravenous injection of the tracer. Performance of the first phase of the examination after 30 minutes. Investigation includes additional imaging sessions the next day and later up to 8 days after tracer administration.
Duration of the examination
1 hour and 30 minutes. Additional daily sessions: 45 minutes.
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The original version is the page in Italian.
