18F-FDG PET/CT imaging of atypical subacute thyroiditis in thyrotoxicosis: A case report. Issue 30 (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yoshida, Katsuya; Yokoh, Hidetaka; Toriihara, Akira; Fujii, Hayahiko; Harata, Naoki; Isogai, Jun; Tateishi, Ukihide
• Other Names: Seshadri. Nagabhushan section editor.
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 96:Issue 30(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: 18F-FDG PET/CT -- case report -- subacute thyroiditis -- thyrotoxicosis; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000007535
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract: Background: In addition to its established role in oncologic imaging, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) is useful for the assessment of inflammatory activity. However, subacute thyroiditis (SAT) in thyrotoxicosis is rarely detected during these scans. Case: A 66-year-old man with SAT in thyrotoxicosis demonstrated symptoms of transient fatigue, headache, and fever, without typical neck pain. Using 18 F-FDG PET/CT, we found increased 18 F-FDG uptake in the thyroid gland, predominantly in the right side due to SAT. We also observed a coexisting decrease in 18 F-FDG uptake in the liver and increased 18 F-FDG uptake in skeletal muscle due to thyrotoxicosis. Conclusion: Using 18 F-FDG PET/CT, the combined observations of increased 18 F-FDG uptake in the thyroid and skeletal muscle, and decreased 18 F-FDG uptake in the liver, even when the typical symptom of neck pain is subtle or absent, may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of SAT in thyrotoxicosis.