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Cerebral edema following iodine-131 therapy for thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the brain

Journal Article · · J. Nucl. Med.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5268755
Brain metastases are rare in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma but when present they can lead to the patient's death. Iodine-131 therapy for intracerebral thyroid carcinoma metastases causes radiation-induced acute cerebral edema that can lead to CNS complications and even death. We present a case in which a patient with intracerebral /sup 131/I uptake developed seizures, slurred speech, and muscle weakness 12 hr following /sup 131/I therapy. The patient's CT scan, post-therapy, confirmed an intracranial metastasis with a significant amount of surrounding edema. Radiotherapists, when using external beam radiation to treat intracerebral metastases, commonly place these patients on steroids, glycerol, or mannitol prior to instituting therapy, to prevent complications from radiation-induced cerebral edema. This technique could be applied to /sup 131/I therapy of intracranial thyroid carcinoma metastases as well.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
OSTI ID:
5268755
Journal Information:
J. Nucl. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Nucl. Med.; (United States) Vol. 5; ISSN JNMEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English