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Preoperative scintigraphic visualization of lymph nodes and pulmonary metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma

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Abstract

Preoperative accumulation of Tc-99m pertechnetate and radioiodine in metastases of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma is uncommon. We report herein the case of a 39-year-old woman with occult papillary thyroid cancer revealed by widespread miliary lung metastases. Ultrasonography revealed the presence of an infracentimetric hypoechoic nodule and cervical lymph nodes. Scintigraphy, realized with Tc-99m pertechnetate and I-131 prior to thyroidectomy, failed to delineate the primary thyroid tumor, but revealed functional cervical nodes on the central and left lateral compartments, with pulmonary accumulation.

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Correspondence to Sami Boughattas.

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Boughattas, S., Hassine, H., Chatti, K. et al. Preoperative scintigraphic visualization of lymph nodes and pulmonary metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma. Ann Nucl Med 18, 59–62 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02985615

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02985615

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