Mediastinal goiter diagnosed by functional imaging

Abstract

A 63-year-old asymptomatic woman with cured Hodgkin diseases presented for restaging. The chest computed tomography showed a mass at the right side of the upper mediastinum. The benignity and the origin of the tissue were unknown. First, we performed a bronchoscopy-guided biopsy but without success. In the next step, we initiated radionuclide imaging with technetium-99m pertechnetate (Tc-99m) and radioiodine (I-123). Low uptake of Tc-99m and intense accumulation of I-123 after 2 and 24 h to the mediastinal mass suggested that the mass was a mediastinal goiter. Based on iodine uptake and the fact that our patient had no symptoms of tracheal compression, we decide to go for a radioiodine therapy.

Keywords: mediastinal goiter; mediastinal tumor; scintigraphy; iodine-123; technetium-99m pertechnetate; radioiodine I-131 therapy

(Published: 19 January 2012)

Citation: Libyan J Med 2012, 7: 15693 - DOI: 10.3402/ljm.v7i0.15693