BONE AND LIVER IMAGES IN MEDULLARY CARCINOMA OF THE THYROID-GLAND - CONCISE COMMUNICATION

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (4) , 419-422
Abstract
Patients (34) with surgically documented medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT) and elevated serum calcitonin levels had 99mTc phosphate bone and/or 99mTc sulfur colloid liver images for suspected metastases. Liver images demonstrated metastatic lesions in 9 of 32 patients (28%). Bone images were positive for metastases in 8 of 30 patients (27%). Four of these 8 abnormal bone studies detected only skeletal lesions, 2 demonstrated only extraosseous metastases, and 2 showed both kinds. Of 18 patients with both radionuclide bone studies and skeletal radiographs, 4 demonstrated skeletal metastases, and lesions were recognized on both examinations. Radionuclide bone and liver images frequently detect metastatic lesions in patients with MCT and elevated serum calcitonin levels, and that some nonskeletal metastases in patients with this tumor display an unusual affinity for bone-seeking radiotracers.