Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a potential mistake in the interpretation of radioiodine whole-body scintigraphy

There are a few case reports of renal cysts demonstrating radioiodine uptake on scintigraphy. In this case, we report a 49-year-old man who had undergone total thyroidectomy and had been treated with radioiodine. After conventional levothyroxine withdrawal, the patient underwent thyroid remnant ablation by oral administration of 125 mci (131)I. Seven days later, post-therapy whole-body scan demonstrated thyroid remnant tissue and bilaterally multifocal radioiodine uptake in the upper abdomen. By ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography scan, the iodine uptake was proven to be due to the accumulation of (131)I in bilateral polycystic kidney disease.