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Assessment of Residual Tumor Viability in Thymic Carcinoma by Sequential Thallium-201 SPECT: Comparison with CT and Biopsy Findings

Department of Radiology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama City, Toyama, Japan

Correspondence: For correspondence or reprints contact: Hikaru Seto, MD, Department of Radiology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama City, Toyama, 930-01, Japan.

ABSTRACT

We present a case of ²⁰¹Tl accumulating thymic carcinoma, in which sequential CT scans demonstrated a steady decrease in tumor volume. The presence of a residual mass on CT scans after the completion of therapy presented the clinical dilemma of whether or not a viable tumor remained. Sequential ²⁰¹Tl SPECT images demonstrated a marked decrease in tumor uptake. At 2 wk after therapy, no significant accumulation of ²⁰¹Tl in the region of the residual mass was observed, indicating a lack of viable tumor. A biopsy specimen revealed no tumor cells. Sequential histopathologic findings were correlated well with the findings of ²⁰¹Tl SPECT rather than those of CT. Thallium-201 SPECT is of great clinical value in assessing tumor viability in the course of therapy.

Key Words: thallium-201 • SPECT • viability • thymic carcinoma • computed tomography

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