Unilateral Breast Uptake of Tc-99m Pertechnetate in a Patient with Cold Nodule of the Thyroid
A 26-year-old female was referred for thyroid scintigraphy for the evaluation of swelling in the neck for 7 months with no thyrotoxicosis symptoms. She was breast feeding her 8-month-old child. Thyroid function tests showed mildly increased serum T3 and T4 levels, with normal serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). No thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins were detected. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid nodule was performed and a final diagnosis of colloid goiter with cystic degeneration was made. Tc-99m pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy revealed a cold nodule in the lower half of the left lobe of the thyroid. Incidentally, significant radiotracer accumulation was also detected in the left breast [], while the right breast appeared unremarkable.