sodium-pertechnetate-tc-99m and Thymoma

A case of malignant thymoma presenting as an anterior neck mass is reported. The tumor extended from the thyroid gland to the superior mediastinum. It did not accumulate Tc-99m pertechnetate, but continued to accumulate Tl-201 at the late phase. A fine-needle aspiration cytology from the tumor showed tight clusters of epithelial cells with crowded ovoid nuclei. The tumor was initially diagnosed as thyroid carcinoma, clinically and cytologically. A thymoma with a dominant epithelial component has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of a suspected papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Topics: Aged; Biopsy, Needle; Carcinoma, Papillary; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Male; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Thallium Radioisotopes; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms; Thyroid Neoplasms

A thymoma in the neck region is a rare diagnosis involving a solitary neck nodule that moves with deglutition and is contiguous with the thyroid gland. The authors report an unusual case of a thymoma that accumulated both Tc-99m pertechnetate and Tc-99m MIBI. This is probably the first reported case of a benign neck thymoma concentrating these two radiopharmaceuticals. Thymoma should be added to the gamut of false-positive findings in the neck for thyroidal (with Tc-99m pertechnetate) and malignant (with Tc-99m MIBI) tissue.

Topics: Adult; Biopsy, Needle; Diagnosis, Differential; False Positive Reactions; Female; Humans; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms; Thyroid Nodule

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Goiter, Substernal; Humans; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms

Topics: Female; Humans; Mediastinum; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms

A case is reported to Tc-99m pertechnetate accumulation within an anterior mediastinal thymoma during a search for substernal goiter. This reemphasizes the non-specificity of Tc-99m pertechnetate uptake and the need for caution in using this agent to detect ectopic thyroid tissue.

Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Goiter, Substernal; Humans; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Technetium; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms