The value of scintigraphy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography for the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid in the head and neck

Abstract

Because of its rarity, the exact imaging features of ectopic thyroid are poorly known.To analyze the value of scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT in the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid in the head and neck.First, we retrospectively analyzed the scintigraphy, CT, MRI, and SPECT/CT images from 25 masses (22 patients) suspected of head and neck ectopic thyroid from 2006 to 2017 at the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital. Each mass was imaged by nuclear imaging (scintigraphy with or without SPECT/CT) and radiological exam (CT and/or MRI). Pathological examination was considered as the gold standard. Secondly, thirteen malignant ectopic thyroids in the head and neck reported in the English literature from 2001 to 2017 were retrieved for comparison.The accuracy of scintigraphy was not significantly higher than that of CT (94.7%, vs 89.5%, P > .99) or MRI (92.3%, vs 84.6%, P > .99). Five masses which underwent scintigraphy with SPECT/CT were all true positive, while 1 was false negative on MRI, and 2 were false negative on CT. Compared to the benign ectopic thyroids in our study, the 13 malignant ectopic thyroids retrieved from the literature were grossly the same in shape, margins, and invasion on CT or MRI.The number of patients was limited, but scintigraphy combined with SPECT/CT could be a reliable method for the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid. Benign and malignant ectopic thyroids appear to be similar in shapes, margins, and invasion on CT or MRI.

Ectopic thyroid gland located on the L4 vertebral body

“…However, due to the low prevalence of diseases, CT, radionuclide thyroid imaging, and nuclear MRI are associated with high rates of misdiagnosis. [ 4 ] The CT value of the ectopic thyroid tissue in our patient was 104 HU on plain CT, showing high density. Compared to the findings in the surrounding muscle tissue, MRI showed low signal intensity on T1WI, high signal intensity on T2WI, a slightly high signal intensity in the lipid suppression phase, and slight mass enhancement on enhanced scanning.…”

Application of thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibody combined with emission computed tomography in the adjuvant diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma

“…In recent years, the role of emission computed tomography (ECT) technology in the diagnosis of TC has gradually attracted widespread clinical attention. It is an examination method using radionuclides that, after computer processing, can image the difference in radioactivity concentration between the lesion and normal tissue, providing valuable imaging information for disease diagnosis [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Lingual thyroid with severe hypothyroidism

“…[ 3 , 5 ] The diagnosis of lingual thyroid is usually through clinical examination, biochemical tests, imaging methods including ultrasonography, thyroid scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays as a key role in diagnosing confirmation. [ 1 , 6 , 7 ] We reported a case of a 29-year-old female who presented with symptoms of easy fatigue and depression for 3 months. After a series of diagnostic workup, the lingual thyroid with severe hypothyroidism was diagnosed.…”

“…Most cases of lingual thyroid are asymptomatic unless a progressive enlargement of gland size resulting in dysphagia, foreign body sensation or pain in the throat, dysphonia, bleeding, and even dyspnea or features related to thyroid dysfunction [3,5] . The diagnosis of lingual thyroid is usually through clinical examination, biochemical tests, imaging methods including ultrasonography, thyroid scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays as a key role in diagnosing confirmation [1,6,7] . We reported a case of a 29-year-old female who presented with symptoms of easy fatigue and depression for 3 months.…”