A false-positive whole-body scan for thoracic vertebral uptake in a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma with esophageal retention, mimicking thoracic vertebral involvement, is presented. Most patients undergoing I-131 whole-body scan are in a state of severe hypothyroidism(for maximum TSH stimulation during the diagnostic imaging procedure). This may result in slow esophageal motility, which, with increased salivary gland I-131 uptake and secretion, can create an artifact that may be misinterpreted as metastatic lesion(s). This potential pitfall can be eliminated with repeated imaging after the ingestion of water and food.
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