FDG-PET scan detection of axillary lymph node metastases of papillary thyroid carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Plasma thyroglobulin and radio-iodine whole body scintigraphy, well established techniques for the assessment of differentiated papillary thyroid cancer and its recurrence and metastases, may not always identify the site of tumour recurrence among patients with iodine-negative tumour recurrence or metastases. From this particular perspective, fluorine-18-fluo-rodeoxyglucose position emission tomography [FDG-PET] is specifically reported to localize not only the recurrence of thyroid cancer but also the site of its metastases. A case of papillary thyroid carcinoma with axillary lymph node metastases identified by FDG-PET scan is reported in order to highlight the diagnostic importance of this new technique that could also provide therapeutic interventional guide to concerned clinicians. Patients with differentiated papillary thyroid cancer revealing negative 131I results should be investigated by FDG-PET for localizing its recurrence sites and metastases that would help in curtailing high mortality coupled with occult thyroid cancers