Application advances of orbital ⁹⁹Tc^m-DTPA SPECT/CT in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) leads a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life, mental health and community economy. Treatment in the early active stage of the disease will achieve better efficacy. At present clinical activity score (CAS) is the mainly method of judging disease activity, but it has many shortcomings. Recent studies have suggested that ⁹⁹Tc^m-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) orbital SPECT/CT shows important value in the early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of TAO. It can complement with CAS and has a broad application prospect. The authors summarize the current research progress in this field and highlight the need for more research to establish a standardized consensus on collection method and result analysis. Investigating a new tool to judge disease activity which can combine ⁹⁹Tc^m-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT with the artificial intelligence will more accurately and conveniently guide the clinical practice.