Patterns of Indications and Findings of Radionuclide Thyroid Scintigraphy: The Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital Experience: Johannesburg, South Africa - Abstract
Thyroid scintigraphy is an essential modality in nuclear medicine, requiring a contribution for both diagnosis and treatment. Worldwide, nodular thyroid disease is common. Most nodules area symptomatic and benign, however some are malignant. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy should be the cornerstone of the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Radionuclide scans should be used as adjunctive tests and should not be performed until after determination of thyroid function and results of cytology are available. The most common indication for thyroid imaging is in a patient with thyrotoxicosis. Thyrotoxicosis has multiple etiologies, manifestations, and potential therapies. Appropriate treat¬ment requires an accurate diagnosis and is influenced by coexisting medical conditions as well as patient preference.