F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in
131
I treatment of metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).
Methods:
A total of 305 cases with DTC metastases were included in this study.
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F-FDG PET/CT as well as other routine imaging diagnostic methods were carried out before
131
I treatment
followed by
131
I-whole body scan (WBS) and
131
I single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT 96 h later. Dynamic serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) immunoassay was performed pro-
131
I treatment and follow- up for at least two years.
Results:
With cutoff value of serum Tg=10 ng/mL
in cases with serum Tg≥10 ng/mL
62.1% (90/145) cases with DTC metastases were found with positive lesions on
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F-FDG PET/CT images. In cases with serum Tg<10.0 ng/mL
only 25.0% (40/160) cases were found with positive lesions on
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F-FDG PET/CT
significantly lower than those former cases (
P
<0.01). Dynamic follow-up data showed that those cases with
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F-FDG positive and initial high serum Tg were related with high probability of invalid
131
I treatment or unfavorable outcomes. On the other hand
those with negative
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F-FDG uptake were more likely associated with low initial serum Tg and came off with either effective
131
I treatment or gradual decline of serum Tg during the follow-up.
Conclusion:
The cut off value of serum Tg=10.0 ng/mL may well be evident for
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F-FDG PET/CT indication for the patients with DTC metastases
those some uncertainties remained unresolved.
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F-FDG PET/CT imaging results also help predict the outcomes of