Pochis W T, Krasnow A Z, Isitman A T, Cerletty J M, Kir K M, Hellman R S, Collier B D
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Clin Nucl Med. 1990 Jul;15(7):491-4. doi: 10.1097/00003072-199007000-00008.
False-positive findings suggestive of metastatic functioning thyroid carcinoma have been well documented in I-131 whole-body imaging. These artifacts are often associated with contamination from radioiodine-containing body secretions. Recently, a contaminated handkerchief on an iodine-131 whole-body scan was reported. In the following study, two additional cases involving the sequestration of I-131 contaminated handkerchiefs in patients' pockets are presented, and the literature regarding these false-positive findings is reviewed. Although rare, this "radioactive handkerchief sign" may cause serious misinterpretation of a focal radioiodine accumulation.
