Thyroid Scintigraphy

Thyroid scintigraphy is used to visualize the abnormal conditions of the thyroid gland (e.g. inflammation, nodules, etc.).

Examination procedure

A low-level radioactive medication is injected into your arm vein, which is actively absorbed by the thyroid cells. Twenty minutes after the injection, images of your thyroid gland are taken using a gamma camera. Image acquitision takes about 10 minutes. The images are then used to quantify the function of your thyroid gland. Additionally blood is taken from you to perform the determination of hormones and antibodies, which is necessary for the complete diagnostic work-up of the thyroid gland.

Your thyroid gland is also examined sonographically. (i.e. with ultrasound technology). This allows visual assessment of the structural changes (e.g. nodules), measurement of the thyroid size and alterations in the soft tissues of the neck.