Thyroid scan

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan

Overview

Risks

Results

Thyroid scan

Definition:

A thyroid scan is a nuclear medicine examination that uses the emissions of gamma rays from radioactive iodine to help determine whether a patient has thyroid problems, including hyperthyroidism, cancer, or other growths.

Alternative Names:

Scan - thyroid; Radioactive iodine screening test - thyroid; RAUI; Nuclear scan - thyroid

How the test is performed:

You will be given a pill that contains radioactive iodine, and then you will wait as the iodine collects in the thyroid. The first scan is usually 4 - 6 hours after the iodine has been ingested, and another scan may be taken 24-hours later. Additional or substitute imaging may be performed using a compound containing technetium.

After the radioiactive iodine has been absorbed by the thyroid, you will lie on your back on a movable table with your neck and chest positioned under the scanner. The scanner detects the location and intensity of the gamma rays emitted. During this part of the procedure, you must lie still to let the scanner get a clear image.

Next, the information is sent to a computer that displays images of the thyroid and any possible nodules that have absorbed the iodine.

How to prepare for the test:

You must sign a consent form. You may be told not to eat after midnight the night before the exam. Consult the health care provider if you are taking any medications that may need to be regulated, such as thyroid medication and anything with iodine in it. Remove jewelry, dentures, or other metals, because they may interfere with the image.

How the test will feel:

Some patients find remaining still during the test uncomfortable.

Why the test is performed:

When thyroid cancer or nodules are suspected.

Review Date: 8/3/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Gross, M.D., Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.