Efficacy of thyroid scintigraphy in the diagnosis of intrathoracic goiter.

For evaluation of the usefulness of thyroid scintigraphy in the diagnosis of intrathoracic goiter, we analyzed the results of radionuclide thyroid scintigraphy in 54 consecutive cases with suspected upper mediastinal masses. Intrathoracic goiters were found in 42. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the scintigraphy for intrathoracic goiter were 93% (39/42), 100% (12/12), and 94% (51/54), respectively. Scintigraphic morphology, scanning technique, and pitfalls are discussed. The results show that most intrathoracic goiters do have thyroid function and that radioiodine scintigraphy is a definitive and cost-effective diagnostic procedure for this disease.