Thyroid scintigraphy is a nuclear medicine examination in which the thyroid gland is examined with a gamma camera. It requires the injection of a radioactive isotope into the body, which accumulates in the thyroid gland. A normal thyroid gland absorbs little iodine, if part of the thyroid is hyperfunctional (hot nodule) it absorbs more iodine than necessary, while a cold nodule absorbs no iodine.
The gamma camera takes pictures of the thyroid gland as it emits gamma rays. These are displayed to identify abnormalities in the gland. Radiopharmaceuticals are designed to accumulate in specific locations in the body based on certain characteristics, such as an organ’s ability to absorb them or its metabolic activity.
Cold nodules or “hot” nodules can be identified in this way. A “hot” nodule is one that absorbs more iodine than a “cold” nodule.
A complete thyroid examination includes a detailed history interview, ultrasound with elastography, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test, free T4 level in conjunction with thyroid scintigraphy.
You will need the following: a referral (with a detailed question or request), relevant medical images or previous findings.
The examinations consist of three phases: In the preparation phase, the radioactive substance is specifically prepared for each patient and then administered (usually intravenously). The technical phase involves performing scintigraphy, SPECT, or PET imaging, including image evaluation. The information phase (specialist evaluation) concludes the process.
You will receive a minimal amount of a radioactive substance (radiopharmaceutical) with a short half-life. After 20-240 minutes, it will be sufficiently accumulated in the target organ, and the examination can be performed.
Some health insurance companies will reimburse you for the costs of the examination:
SVA
KFA
BVA
