An Unusual False-Positive Uptake of Radioiodine Caused by Posttraumatic Superficial Scab

A 22-year-old man with a history of recurrent papillary thyroid cancer underwent 131I therapy. Posttherapeutic whole-body scintigraphy was performed 5 days after administration of 5.5 GBq of 131I. The scintigraphy revealed increased activity in the left elbow. On physical examination, the patient had posttraumatic superficial scab at the site of the abnormal activity.