Quantitative Iodine-123 single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography for Iodine-131 therapy of an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule

PURPOSE: Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs) are treated with iodine-131 (I-131) therapy, which increases the risk of permanent hypothyroidism; however, the risk can be reduced by separately estimating the accumulated activity for the AFTN and extranodular thyroid tissue (ETT). METHODS: A quantitative I-123 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT (5 mCi) was performed in one patient with unilateral AFTN and T3 thyrotoxicosis. The I-123 concentrations measured at 24 h were 12.26 µCi/mL and 0.11 µCi/mL in the AFTN and contralateral ETT, respectively. Thus, the I-131 concentrations and radioactive iodine uptake expected at 24 h by 5 mCi of I-131 were 38.59 µCi/mL and 0.31 for the AFTN and 0.34 µCi/mL and 0.007 for the contralateral ETT. The weight was calculated as CT-measured volume multiplied by 1.03. RESULTS: In the AFTN patient with thyrotoxicosis, we administered 30 mCi of I-131, which would maximize the 24-h I-131 concentration in the AFTN (226.86 µCi/g) and maintain a tolerable concentration in the ETT (1.97 µCi/g). The percentage of I-131 uptake at 48 h post I-131 administration was 62.6%. The patient achieved a euthyroid state at 14 weeks and maintained the state until 2 years post I-131 administration with an AFTN volume reduction of 61.38%. CONCLUSION: The pre-therapeutic planning of quantitative I-123 SPECT/CT may enable a therapeutic window for I-131 therapy, which directs optimal I-131 activity to effectively treat AFTN while preserving the normal thyroid tissue. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41824-022-00159-w.