Lobectomy and subtotal removal of the remaining lobe is usually advocated in order to remove an occult carcinoma in the apparently normal lobe and to ensure preservation of parathyroid tissue. There is also a choice of postoperative management.
Scanning is initially carried out at six-monthly intervals, and subsequently at longer intervals until the patient is deemed cured; the patient, however, should continue to attend for clinical follow-up.
During the six months before each scan, the patient is maintained on triiodothyronine (T3). During the seven days preceding each scan, however, the patient should discontinue T3. At other times, the patient is maintained on thyroxine (T4).
