Thyroid scintigraphy is performed for various diseases. In most cases, a nodular thyroid gland or an overproduction of thyroid hormones is present. Thyroid scintigraphy is used to assess the function of the thyroid gland. As a rule, an ultrasound examination of the neck is carried out in addition to the scintigraphy.
The examination is a nuclear medicine method. We inject you with a slightly radioactive substance. This substance accumulates in your thyroid gland in a similar way to iodine. After approx. 15-25 minutes, an image of your neck and the injection site on your arm will be taken. With the help of modern computer systems, images are then created on which we can assess the thyroid gland.
At the interdisciplinary Thyroid Center of the USZ, seven disciplines work together on a regular basis. Experts from nuclear medicine, endocrinology, ORL clinic, visceral surgery, pathology, radiation oncology, and oncology meet weekly at the Thyroid Review. Here, the patients’ findings are presented and the patients are quickly assigned to the respective specialist clinic.
Please let us know your thyroid medication when you register for the scintigraphy. The doctors will decide whether and for how long you need to stop taking them before the examination. You can take all other medication as usual. When you register for scintigraphy, please also let us know whether you have had an X-ray examination with contrast medium in the last few weeks (e.g. CT, cardiac catheterization). The doctors will decide whether the examination can be carried out now or at a later date. Eating and drinking is permitted before the scintigraphy. You do not have to come sober. Please report to the examination desk in Nuclear Medicine (main entrance) on floor A. The examination takes approx. 45 – 60 minutes. After the images have been taken, the examination is complete for you.
The substance is very well tolerated. In the literature and in our experience, no undesirable side effects are known. The radiation exposure is very low and comparable to that of an X-ray image. You must lie still on an examination table during the scans. If you suffer from claustrophobia, we advise you to bring an accompanying person. This person may sit next to you during the entire recording time.
We are not yet able to inform you of the result immediately after the recordings have been completed. It takes time to analyze the images on the computer. We will send a written report to your attending physician within 24 hours. He or she will inform you of the result.
The thyroid consultation at the Clinic for Nuclear Medicine offers comprehensive and competent diagnosis and treatment of all thyroid diseases.
Senior Attending Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Senior Attending Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Senior Attending Physician, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition
As a patient, you cannot register directly for a consultation. Please get a referral from your primary care physician, specialist. For questions please use our contact form.
Simply assign your patient via registration form.
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