Warthin’s Tumor: A Diagnostic Challenge as a Metastatic Mimicker on Post-I-131 Therapy Scan
Abstract
We present a rare case with an incidental finding of Warthin's tumour demonstrating I-131 uptake on a post-therapy whole-body scan in a patient treated for thyroid cancer with total thyroidectomy. The unexpected radioiodine concentration in the parotid region raised initial concern for metastatic disease, illustrating how non-thyroidal lesions can mimic pathological findings in post-ablative imaging. This case highlights a well-recognised diagnostic challenge in nuclear medicine: false-positive I-131 uptake. Differentiating benign radioiodine-avid lesions from true metastases is critical to prevent incorrect staging, unnecessary interventions, and inappropriate management decisions in thyroid cancer follow-up.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Salivary Gland Tumors Diagnosis and Treatment
Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cureus
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- e103721–e103721
- Publication date
- 16 February 2026
- Language
- EN