Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy in tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma with negative radioiodine scan

Clin Nucl Med. 2008 Sep;33(9):615-8. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0b013e3181813035.

Abstract

We report on a 45-year-old man who had a mass on the wall of the anterior right hemithorax. An excisional biopsy indicated carcinoma metastasis from thyroid malignancy. Tc-99m methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy revealed markedly increased activity on the left side of the thyroid and the thoracic wall mass. Postoperative histology revealed a tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Whole body scintigraphy after radioiodine treatment was negative twice. However, Tc-99m MIBI and bone scintigraphy showed multiple soft tissue and bone metastases in the follow-up period. He died 3 years later because of complications of distant lung metastases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Whole Body Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi