Risk factors for radioactive iodine-avid metastatic lymph nodes on post I-131 ablation SPECT/CT in low- or intermediate-risk groups of papillary thyroid cancer.

The incidence of RAI-avid mLN on postablation SPECT/CT was relatively high in both low- and intermediate-risk patients with PTC, and high preablation TSH-stimulated serum Tg level was a predictor of metastasis, especially in the low-risk group. A selective treatment approach should be considered in patients with high preablation TSH-stimulated serum Tg level.