Which radionuclide is commonly used in thyroid imaging?

Iodine-123 is commonly used in thyroid imaging due to its specific radiopharmaceutical properties that make it ideal for evaluating thyroid function and morphology. As a gamma-emitting isotope with a relatively short half-life of around 13 hours, it provides excellent imaging quality with minimal radiation exposure to the patient.

Iodine is a critical element for thyroid hormone production, and the thyroid gland has a natural affinity for absorbing iodine. This allows for the visualization of the thyroid gland and its functioning through scintigraphy. Iodine-123 is used in both diagnostic imaging and dynamic studies to assess conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid nodules.

While Technetium-99m is widely employed in various imaging modalities for different organ studies, it is not specifically tailored for thyroid imaging, which relies on iodine. Gallium-67 is used primarily for tumor detection and inflammatory processes rather than thyroid evaluation. Iodine-131, although also used in thyroid pathology, is more commonly applied in therapeutic settings due to its higher radiation dose and longevity, making it less suitable for imaging purposes compared to Iodine-123.