Nuclear Medicine/Endocrine/Thyroid

Thyroid Ablation

Indications

• Thyroid cancer - Either localized or metastatic
• Benign disease refractory to conservative treatment and/or causing symptoms or complications

Procedure

• Calculation of dose
  • The dose should be calculated with two different variables: The weight of the gland(in grams), and how much it's 24 hr uptake is (For example, 24% would be 0.24). You can then use the following formula:

$\text{Required dose} (microCi)=\frac{Size~in~grams \cdot (100~to~180microCi)}{24~hour~%RAIU}$

• • The weight of the gland is a very subjective measurement. One can attempt to approximate the gland weight with the following guidelines:
    • A regular non-palpable thyroid gland weighs approximately 15-20 grams.
    • A thyroid that you cannot see but is palpable weighs approximately 30-40 grams (needs verification)
    • A gland that is easily seen and palpated can be anywhere from 40-200 grams (needs verification)

• • ^ ISBN 0-323-02946-9 -- "Nuclear Medicine: The Requisites, Third Edition (Requisites in Radiology)." (Harvey A. Ziessman, Janis P. O'Malley MD, James H. Thrall MD. 2006. Mosby, Inc.)

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Acronyms used: