Simultaneous Visualization of the Sublingual Thyroid and Lactating Breasts with Tc-99m Pertechnetate Scintigraphy.
- Author:
Ji Hyoung SEO
1
;
Young Ok SEONG
;
Jin Ho BAE
;
Shin Young JEONG
;
Byeong Cheol AHN
;
Jaetae LEE
;
Kyu Bo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of nuclear medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University Medical School, Daegu, Korea. jaetae@knu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Sublingual thyroid;
Lactating breasts;
Tc-99m pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy
- MeSH:
Adult;
Breast*;
Female;
Gastrointestinal Tract;
Humans;
Ion Transport;
Mammary Glands, Human;
Radionuclide Imaging*;
Salivary Glands;
Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m*;
Stomach;
Thyroid Dysgenesis;
Thyroid Gland*;
Tongue
- From:Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
2005;39(6):489-490
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The thyroglossal duct runs from the base of the tongue to the thyroid. Rarely the thyroid completely fails to migrate and results in ectopic thyroid tissue, which can be demonstrated scintigraphically. A 31-year old female patient was referred for thyroid scintigraphy due to protruding mass at the base of the tongue. She was mildly hypothyroid. Tc-99m pertechnetate thyroid scan was performed to rule out ectopic thyroid gland. There showed a focal area of intense tracer uptake in sublingual area, suggesting the sublingual thyroid. In addition there noted diffusely increased tracer uptake in both breasts. The patient delivered a baby 6 months prior to the scan and was on breast-feeding. Free Tc-99m pertechnetate physiologically secrets into the salivary glands, the stomach, the gastrointestinal tract, the genitourinary tract and the mammary glands and sodium-iodide symporter plays a role in the accumulation of free Tc-99m pertechnetate. We report simultaneous visualization of lactating breasts and ectopic thyroid gland in the base of the tongue.
