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BMC Medical Imaging

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Iodine concentration calculated by dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) as a functional parameter to evaluate thyroid metabolism in patients with hyperthyroidism

Authors: Duong Duc Binh, Takahito Nakajima, Hidenori Otake, Tetsuya Higuchi, Yoshito Tsushima

Published in: BMC Medical Imaging | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Thyroid function in patients with Grave’s disease is usually evaluated by thyroid scintigraphy with radioactive iodine. Recently, dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) with two different energy X-rays can calculate iodine concentrations and can be applied for iodine measurements in thyroid glands. This study aimed to assess the potential use of DECT for the functional assessment of the thyroid gland.

Methods

Thirteen patients with Grave’s disease treated at our hospital from May to September 2015 were included in this retrospective study. Before treatments, all subjects had undergone both iodine scintigraphy [three and 24 h after oral administration of ¹²³I (20 μCi)] and non-enhanced DECT. The region of interests (ROIs) were placed in both lobes of the thyroid glands, and CT values (HU: Hounsfield unit) and iodine concentrations (mg/mL) calculated from DECT images were measured. The correlation between CT values and iodine concentrations from DECT in the thyroid gland was evaluated and then the iodine concentrations were compared with radioactive iodine uptake ratios by thyroid scintigraphy.

Results

Mean (±SD) ¹²³I uptake increased from 46.3 (±22.2) % (range, 11.1–80.1) at 3 h, to 66.5 (±15.2) % (range, 40.0–86.1) at 24 h (p < 0.01). CT values ranged from 34.5 to 98.7 HU [mean: 67.8 (±18.6)], while the iodine concentrations calculated with DECT ranged from 0.0 to 1.3 mg/mL [mean: 0.5 (±0.4)]. A moderate positive correlation between CT values and the calculated iodine concentrations in the thyroid gland was seen (R = 0.429, p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation between ¹²³I uptake at 3 h and iodine concentration by DECT were seen (R = −0.680, p < 0.05), although no correlation was observed between ¹²³I uptake at 3 h and CT values (p = 0.087). No correlation was observed between ¹²³I uptake at 24 h and CT values (p = 0.153) or that between ¹²³I uptake at 24 h and iodine concentration by DECT (p = 0.073).

Conclusion

The negative correlation of ¹²³I uptake at 3 h with iodine concentration evaluated by DECT was better than that observed with simple CT value. DECT may have a potential role in the evaluation of iodine turnover in hyperthyroid patients.

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Title: Iodine concentration calculated by dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) as a functional parameter to evaluate thyroid metabolism in patients with hyperthyroidism
Authors: Duong Duc Binh
Takahito Nakajima
Hidenori Otake
Tetsuya Higuchi
Yoshito Tsushima
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Medical Imaging / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2342
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-017-0216-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Iodine concentration calculated by dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) as a functional parameter to evaluate thyroid metabolism in patients with hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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