Nuklearmedizin 2013; 52(04): 130-136
DOI: 10.3413/Nukmed-0568-13-03
Review
Schattauer GmbH

Focal thyroid incidental uptake detected by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography

Meta-analysis on prevalence and malignancy riskInzidenteller fokaler Schilddrüsen-Uptake in der 18F-Flourdesoxyglukose-Positronenemissions tomographieMetaanalyse zu Prävalenz und Malignitäts risiko
G. Treglia
1   Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
,
F. Bertagna
2   Department of Nuclear Medicine, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Italy
,
R. Sadeghi
3   Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
,
F. A. Verburg
4   Department of Nuclear Medicine, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Germany
,
L. Ceriani
1   Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
,
L. Giovanella
1   Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received: 10 March 2013

accepted in revised form: 08 June 2013

Publication Date:
30 December 2017 (online)

Summary

Aim: To perform a meta-analysis of published data on the prevalence and risk of malignancy of focal thyroid incidental uptake (FTIs) detected by Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/CT. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of studies published up to and including December 2012 was performed. Pooled prevalence and malignancy risk of FTIs were calculated, including a sub-analysis for the geographic areas of origin of the studies. Results: 34 studies including 215 057 patients were selected. Pooled prevalence of FTIs was 1.92% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.87–1.99%). Overall, 1522 FTIs underwent histopathology evaluation. Pooled risk of malignancy was 36.2% (95%CI: 33.8–38.6%), without significant differences among various geographic areas. Conclusions: FTIs are observed in about 2% of 18F-FDG-PET or PET/CT scans and carry a significant risk of malignancy. Therefore, further investigation is warranted whenever FTIs are detected by 18F-FDG-PET or PET/CT.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Durchführen einer Meta-Analyse der publizierten Daten bezüglich der Prävalenz und des Malignitätsrisikos der inzidentellen fokalen Aufnahme in der Schilddrüse (FTI) in Fluor-18-Fluordeoxyglukose Positronenemissionstomographie oder PET/CT. Methoden: Eine umfassende Recherche der Literatur bis einschließlich 2012 auf entsprechende Studien wurde durchgeführt. Die gepoolte Prävalenz und das Malignitätsrisiko von FTI wurden berechnet, inklusive einer Subanalyse nach geographischer Herkunft der Studien. Ergebnisse: 34 Studien mit 215 057 Patienten wurden selektiert. Gepoolte Prävalenz von FTI war 1.92% (95% Zuverlässigkeitsintervall (95% CI): 1.87–1.99%). Davon wurden insgesamt 1522 FTI histopathologisch evaluiert. Das gepoolte Malignitätsrisiko betrug 36.2%, ohne signifikante Unterschiede zwischen verschiedenen geographischen Herkunftsgebieten. Schlussfolgerung: FTI werden in ungefähr 2% von 18F-FDG-PET oder PET/CT Scans beschrieben und gehen mit einem signifikanten Malignitätsrisiko einher. Daher ist eine weitere Abklärung erforderlich, falls ein FTI im 18F-FDG-PET oder PET/CT beschrieben wird.

 
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