False-positive radioiodine uptake in the abdomen and the pelvis: Radioiodine retention in the kidneys and review of the literature

Because the kidneys are usually not visualized on radioiodine whore-body scans, the renal uptake can be mistaken for a thyroid cancer metastasis. The authors report the prevalence and characteristics of radioiodine retention in the kidneys and review the reported causes of false-positive radioiodine uptake in the abdomen and pelvic areas. Radioiodine uptake in the renal bed was noted on 9 of 400 (2.2%) I-123 diagnostic whole-body scans performed over a 7-month period in our center. The uptake was noted more clearly on posterior views, cleared on delayed images after further hydration, and was not consistently present on follow-up scans. It was unilateral and mimicked a renal or adrenal metastasis in 44% of the scans. In three cases, the uptake was associated with a dilated calyx, an extrarenal pelvis, or a voluminous pelvis. False-positive radioiodine uptake in the abdomen and pelvis has been previously reported in association with 14 different conditions. However, renal retention may represent the most common cause of false-positive radioiodine uptake in the abdomen pelvis. Delayed imaging after additional hydration is usually sufficient to clarify its origin.