-transparent.png){kind=logo}
The aim of this paper is to synthetically focus on current views on the use of radioiodine for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in single autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFN). Radioiodine administration represents a simple and effective alternative to surgical ablation of AFN, especially in elderly patients with small nodules (< 3 cm diameter). Radioiodine is very selectively accumulated in the thyroid, where it can deliver its energy without virtually affecting any other organ. Since its first use in 1942, 131I is (as Na131I) still the radioisotope of choice, due to easy availability and to its peculiar physical characteristics. These include a short half-life (8 days) and a spectrum of radiation (mainly of the beta type) with an optimal energy delivery in the nodule and with low penetration in the surrounding tissue. The effectiveness of radioiodine administration in permanently correcting hyperthyroidism in AFN has been demonstrated in many studies and may reach 80% with a single dose administration. The optimal dose has not been completely defined, but may be empirically calculated taking into account the weight of the nodule (evaluated by scintiscan or ultrasound) and the radioiodine uptake after 24 hours. In our and in many other institutions, indications to radioiodine treatment are currently the following: age > 35-40 years, diameter of the nodule < 3 cm and/or serious general diseases contraindicating surgical treatment. The only absolute contraindication to radioiodine treatment is pregnancy, due to the possible mutagenic effects on the foetus and to the extreme sensitivity of the foetal thyroid to radioiodine after the 10th week of gestation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
December 1993,
Minerva endocrinologica,
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
May 2006,
Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine,
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
December 1993,
Minerva endocrinologica,
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
May 2003,
Medical physics,
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
March 1968,
Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960),
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
January 1994,
Chirurgia italiana,
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
January 1999,
Endokrynologia, diabetologia i choroby przemiany materii wieku rozwojowego : organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Endokrynologow Dzieciecych,
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
December 1983,
Medicina clinica,
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
May 1990,
Clinical nuclear medicine,
S Mariotti, and
P Caturegli, and
G Barbesino, and
C Ceccarelli, and
F Lippi, and
M Marinò, and
L Manetti, and
E Martino, and
A Pinchera
October 1996,
European journal of endocrinology,
