Validation of a Rapid Computerized Method of Measuring ^99mTc Pertechnetate Uptake for Routine Assessment of Thyroid Structure and Function

Abstract

The thyroid structure and function of 239 patients referred to a clinical nuclear medicine department have been evaluated using a new, rapid, computerized method which was previously described (8). The results were compared to routine radioiodine uptakes measured at 2 and 24 hr. Thyroid function was also evaluated using standard clinical criteria, serum triiodothyronine resin uptake and total thyroxine measurements. With this technique a complete functional and structural evaluation takes only 30–40 min. There was no difference in accuracy as compared to the 24-hr ¹³¹I uptake; there was a marked improvement over the 2-hr uptake especially in diagnosing hypothyroidism. We believe that this provides a rapid and accurate method for routine thyroid evaluation where simple nuclear medicine computer facilities exist.