Static pulmonary nodules from thyroid malignancy

Abstract

Papillary carcinoma of thyroid tends to be indolent. This is an unusual case of papillary carcinoma of thyroid with asymptomatic pulmonary metastasis for more than a decade, finally presenting with mild respiratory symptoms in a 21-year-old female. Fine needle aspiration and cytology (FNA-C) of a nodule in the lungs revealed features consistent with a papillary carcinoma of thyroid. Confirmed on thyroidectomy specimen. She subsequently received Iodine-131 (I131). A follow-up radio-iodide scan, 48 hours after, revealed diffuse uptake within the lung parenchyma. With static nodular shadowing on radiograph, a metastatic origin, in particular that of the thyroid, should be considered. I131 scintigraphy can help support the diagnosis of carcinoma of thyroid