Therapeutic studies in hyperthyroidism; use of radioactive iodine

Of 112 patients with hyperthyroidism who were treated with radioactive iodine, 110 were relieved of the disease. Nine had transient hypothyroidism. Twelve had permanent hypothyroidism. No other adverse effects that could be attributed to radioactive iodine were noted.     

Determining the site of brain tumors; the use of radioactive iodine and phosphorus

By tests using radioactive iodine combined with diiodofluorescein, the site of tumors was correctly determined in 61 per cent of 39 cases of tumors of the cerebral hemispheres. In 19 cases where the focal radioactivity was increased 24 per cent or more over that of the surrounding area, there were no errors in localization. Fifteen patients with expanding intracranial lesions were tested at operation with radioactive phosphorus and 14 lesions were correctly localized. This procedure in which the needle probe was used was found of great value in rapidly locating and outlining the area of involvement.     

Discussion on radioactive iodine treatment of hyperthyroidism and the risk of induced cancer

Iodine-131 (¹³¹I, radioiodine) has been used for over eight decades for the treatment of Graves’ disease, either as initial therapy or following failure of thionamides, as well as for the treatment of autonomous thyroid nodules. ¹³¹I treatment is simple to administer, effective, and relatively inexpensive. Recently, there has been some turmoil after a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reported an increased risk of cancer from ¹³¹I treatment. The impact was of short duration however, as the paper received severe criticisms from many nuclear medicine physicians as well as from endocrinologists. Here we explain why that paper's conclusions are doubtful. We also review the major data on the topic of ¹³¹I therapy of hyperthyroidism and the risk of cancer.     

The significance of extrathyroidal radioactive iodine accumulation and secretion in clinical pathology

Summary The uptake and the distribution of ¹³¹I^– injected intravenously into rats was followed up by whole body autoradiography. Extrathyroidal accumulations with some interest for clinical pathology were found in the nose, the hair follicles and the mucous cells of the stomach.