False-Positive Radioiodine Uptake From an Intracranial Surgical Clip

Clin Nucl Med. 2022 Mar 1;47(3):e279-e280. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004002.

Abstract

A 73-year-old man with papillary thyroid cancer underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral neck dissections. He was subsequently treated with 131I. The posttherapy scan showed radioiodine uptake at the left supraorbital region, which localized to a metallic surgical clip. There was no evidence of metastasis in this area. This is not a commonly reported finding. Knowledge of this false-positive finding can help avoid unnecessary workup and treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Papillary* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Surgical Instruments
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Thyroidectomy

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Iodine-131