Pattern of thyroid diseases in central Sudan: Nuclear medicine perspective

Thyroid scintigraphy using Tc-99m pertechnetate is a frequently performed procedure in routine nuclear medicine practice in addition to thyroid hormonal assay by radioimmunoassay (RIA). There is no clear description of thyroid diseases pattern in Sudan using nuclear medicine as a diagnostic tool. The aim of this retrospective study is to determine the pattern of thyroid diseases using the nuclear medicine facilities in our institute during a period (2001-2003). Methods: All patients referred to the department of nuclear medicine for thyroid scan from January 2001 to December 2003 were included in this study and the thyroid function test when available. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: A total of 2070 patients were referred to the department and only 1605 (77.5%) have thyroid function test results available for scan reporting. Female to male ratio is 9:1. The mean age is 34 ±13.36 (1-86 years old). The most common pattern is simple multinodular goiter 784 (37.8%) and the second is solitary thyroid nodule 506 (24.4%), followed by simple diffuse goiter 415 (20%). From a total of 1605 thyroid function test results, 1377 patients (85.8%) were euthyroid, 168 (10.5%) were having hyperthyroidism while only 60 (3.7%) were having hypothyroidism. Conclusion: The vast majority of patients in this study were young females with simple goiter and normal radionuclide uptake. No more information gained particularly when the patient is known clinically and biochemically to have a simple goiter. A solitary cold nodule is also common.Keywords: Thyroid scan, goiter, cold nodule, iodine deficiency, thyroid disease