F-18-FDG-PET in autonomous goiter

Aim: Gain-of-function mutations of the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) gene hav e been invoked as one of the major causes of toxic thyroid adenomas. This s tudy evaluates F-18-FDG-PET in these patients. Methods: Twenty patients Wit h local autonomous nodules and ten with disseminated autonomy were investig ated the day before radioiodine therapy. Twenty patients with cancer of the head or neck and normal thyroid function served as controls, Results: F-18 -FDG-Uptake was higher in patients than in controls. Focal autonomous nodul es were associated with focally enhanced glucose metabolism Disseminated au tonomous goiters shaved various patterns of focal or global hypermetabolism Conclusion: Autonomous thyroid tissue caused by constitutive mutations of the ISH receptor is characterised by simultaneous increases in glucose and iodine metabolism which are correlated.