RESUMO
The value of thallium 201 (Tl 201) scintigraphy was investigated in 45 patients with thyroid affections. Scintigrams were performed with both technetium 99 m (Tc 99 m) and Tl 201. Of the 27 patients with 43 thyroid nodules confirmed histologically (16 patients were operated upon and needle puncture cytology conducted in 11 cases), all cold nodules to Tc 99 m and Tl 201 were found to be benign. Of the 28 hot nodules to Tl 201, cancer was demonstrated in 8 cases, equivalent to 72 p. 100 of false positives against the 47 p. 100 of all cases reported in the literature. In benign affections, thyroid topography to Tl 201 can now be obtained in patients with plummer's toxic nodules without the need for Quérido's test and without iodine saturation of the thyroid. Gonadal toxicity of Tl 201 prevents its routine use in patients under 35, who were excluded from this study.