Iodine-123 scintigraphy in the evaluation of pediatric thyroid disorders: a ten year experience.

Few studies have been published that describe the role of scintigraphy in the evaluation of the spectrum of pediatric thyroid disorders. Between 1978 and 1987, we studied 280 children with iodine-123 (123I) scintigraphy. Clinical information and follow-up were available in 246. We analyzed the indications for referral and determined whether the information obtained with this technique was useful in subsequent management. Indications for scintigraphy included hypothyroidism, neck masses, hyperthyroidism, and miscellaneous reasons. Scintigraphy was helpful in distinguishing anatomic from functional causes of hypothyroidism. It reliably identified the location of the thyroid gland in patients with neck masses. The functional status of thyroid nodules was readily assessed and was important in directing further treatment. Scintigraphy added little to the management of children with post-irradiation hypothyroidism without a palpable nodule, patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis or Graves disease when the clinical diagnosis was straightforward.