Utility of non-contrast Dual Energy Computed Tomography in diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer – two case study

Background Dual Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) is a technology that allows for viewing computed tomography spectral images.

This method, due to ability of presenting specific elements and substances (like water, calcium and iodine), can be used to locate selected type of tissues.

Thyroid tissue due to being rich in endogenous iodine, can be located even without administration of contrast agent.

Case presentation In presented cases authors used a feature of accumulating endogenous iodine in thyroid derivative tissue for diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer metastases.

In Patient One DECT was a decisive parameter qualifying for the surgery.

Due to use of DECT in Patient Two it was possible to directly localize thyroid cancer metastases, which was unfeasible using standard techniques (scintigraphy and [^18 F]FDG PET/CT).

It helped to perform targeted biopsy and confirm diagnosis of thyroid cancer metastases, allowing to introduce treatment with sorafenibe.

Conclusion DECT confirmed its utility in locating thyroid tissues, including differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) metastases.

The method could be used in the future, especially in borderline or ambiguous cases with no localization of DTC in ultrasonography, RAI scintigraphy, or [^18 F]FDG PET/CT, and among patients having contraindications for contrast-CT.