The significance of thyroid ect examination

Many people undergo a thyroid ect test during their physical examination. Many friends actually don’t know the significance of thyroid ECT examination, they only do it because it is listed on the examination form. Today we will analyze the significance of thyroid ECT examination from a medical perspective, hoping that it will be helpful for everyone to understand thyroid examination.

There are currently a variety of detection methods for thyroid nodules, among which radionuclide examination (ECT) is the most commonly used, which can observe the size, location, shape and distribution of the thyroid gland after absorption of sodium iodide-131. Radionuclide scanning divides thyroid nodules into four categories based on their ability to absorb radionuclides. The properties of these nodules, namely "hot nodules", "warm nodules", "cool nodules" and "cold nodules", have certain reference value for diagnosis.

(1) “Hot nodules”: Hot nodules: Nodules absorb more radioactive material than the surrounding thyroid tissue. This type of nodule is generally a nodule with higher function, and patients often have hyperthyroidism. Hot nodules are less likely to be cancerous.

(2) “Warm nodules”: The radioactivity of the nodules is the same as that of the surrounding thyroid tissue. This type of nodule is more common in benign thyroid tumors. Recovery period of nodular goiter, Hashimoto's disease, and subacute thyroiditis.

(3) “Cold nodules”: The radioactivity of the nodules is lower than that of the surrounding thyroid tissue. This type of nodule is also common in benign thyroid tumors and can also be seen in about 20% of cancers. Combined with the determination of serum calcitonin, the diagnostic rate can be improved. Cold nodules can be seen in thyroid cystic changes, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, and the acute phase of subacute thyroiditis.

(4) “Cold nodules”: Cold nodules of the thyroid gland refer to the situation where the radioactivity at the location of the nodule is significantly lower than that of the nearby normal thyroid tissue or is close to zero when the thyroid gland is scanned with radioactive elements. This condition is more common in thyroid cancer, but cold nodules can also be seen in thyroid cysts, adenomas, hemorrhage, fibrosis, calcification, thyroiditis, etc. If the cold nodule is large, has no clear boundary with the surrounding thyroid tissue, and is a single nodule, be aware of the possibility of thyroid cancer.