OBJECTIVETo compare the size of papillary thyroid carcinoma on ultrasonography(US)and the actual size measured during histological examination and to discuss the potential causes of such discrepancy.

METHODSA total of 148 patients with histologically confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma underwent thyroid surgery in our center from December 2012 to May 2013. Patients were stratified based on the size,morphology,margin,cystic component,and presence of Hashimoto's disease to compare the discrepancy of the US and pathalogical measurements.

RESULTSThe mean sizes of the nodules measured by US and pathology were(1.58±0.94)cm and(1.33±0.84)cm,respectively(P=0.000). In 70.9%(105/148)of the nodules,the sizes measured by US were larger than those measured by pathology. In 17.6%(26/148)of the nodules,the sizes measured by US were smaller than those measured by pathology. In 1.1-1.4 cm size subgroup,the difference between mean ultrasound diameter and pathologic diameter was not significant [(1.21±0.11)cm vs.(1.11±0.32)cm,P=0.062]. In 0.1-1.0 cm size subgroup,the mean sizes of the nodules measured by US and pathology were(0.75±0.19)cm and(0.62±0.23)cm,respectively(P=0.000). In ≥1.5 cm size subgroup,the mean sizes of the nodules measured by US and pathology were(2.48±0.70)cm and(2.03±0.81)cm(P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThere is a significant discrepancy between US and pathologic size measurements for papillary thyroid carcinoma. However,for nodules sized 1.1-1.4 cm,the ultrasound and pathologic measurements are more likely to be consistent.

Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Hashimoto Disease ; Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

To determine the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) features as well as the anatomic-pathological basis in thyroid diseases involving the upper mediastinum, we performed a retrospective analysis of 49 patients who had thyroid diseases involving the upper mediastinum. In the study, 22 cases were nodular goiter, 13 cases were thyroid adenoma, and 14 cases were thyroid cancer. The relevance between MDCT appearances and their diffusing route of common thyroid diseases as well as the anatomic-pathological features in this region were evaluated. It was found that the lesions located in the upper anterior mediastinum, the upper posterior mediastinum, and both sides were 67.3% (33/49), 14.3% (7/49), 18.4% (9/49), respectively. Different diseases had their distinct MDCT features nodular goiter mainly showed localized and multiple nodules or tumor bulk (77.3%), thyroid adenoma mainly showed solitary tumor bulk (92.3%), and thyroid cancer mainly demonstrated solitary tumor bulk (57.1%), respectively. Among the 49 cases, 9 cases had cervical and/or mediastinal metastases in lymph nodes. The thyroid diseases involving the upper mediastinum most commonly occurred in the upper anterior mediastinum. The MDCT features and distribution of diffusing thyroid lesions in cervico-thoracic junctional region closely correlated with the anatomic-pathological characteristics in this region.
Goiter, Nodular ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; secondary ; Mediastinum ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

BACKGROUNDThe incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose dual-phase helical computed tomography (CT) in the characterization of thyroid lesions, and to discuss the relationship between image characteristics and their pathology.

METHODSOne hundred and six patients with thyroid lesions underwent low-dose dual-phase helical CT after the injection of contrast material. CT scans were obtained at arterial and venous phase with delays of 25 and 65 seconds, and tube current of 60 and 120 mA, respectively. The attenuation change in the lesion between the arterial and venous phase was analyzed and categorized as "increased," "decreased," "mixed" or "no change."

RESULTSHistopathologic diagnosis was obtained by surgery in 106 patients (115 lesions). Of the 106 patients, 45 had nodular goiter, 5 thyroid adenoma, 6 thyroiditis, and 50 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) (59 lesions). The attenuation value showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the arterial and venous phase for the high attenuation area. There was statistical significant difference in terms of attenuation value in high attenuation areas at both phases and in low attenuation areas on arterial phase between nodular goiter and PTC (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in attenuation value between adenoma and PTC. Twenty-nine cases (76.3%) of goiter manifested mixed type, 3 cases (3/5) of adenoma showed decreased type, 6 cases (6/6) of thyroiditis showed increased type, and 55 cases (93.2%) of PTC showed decreased type attenuation. The sensitivity, specificity for thyroid carcinoma by dual-phase CT were 94.9% and 80.4% respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy for thyroid lesions by dual-phase CT was 87.8%.

CONCLUSIONSThe performance of dual-phase helical CT is related to the pathological structure of the lesions. The analysis of enhancement patterns by using dual-phase helical CT will be helpful in the differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Goiter, Nodular ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Gland ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thyroiditis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; Thyroid Dysgenesis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the values of ultrasonographic features in differentially diagnosing benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and attempt to establish a quantitative ultrasound classification system.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 20 ultrasound features of 926 thyroid nodules in 527 patients. Using logistic regression analysis, we obtained the probability function for predicting the malignancy in thyroid nodules and established a preliminary ultrasound classification system.

RESULTSThe ages of patients with thyroid nodules was older than that of the patients with thyroid carcinoma (t = 6.496, P < 0.001). The correctness rate of ultrasonic diagnosis was 80.1%. The logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that among all ultrasonographic features, aspect ratio ≥ 1, obscure boundary, irregular margin, significant internal hypoecho, internal hypoecho, internal micro-calcifications, posterior echo attenuation, thyroid capsule invasion, abnormal adjacent lymph nodes, and ultrasonic elastography 5-point evaluation scores > 3 were contributing factors for thyroid carcinoma. The equation was P (us) = 1 /[1+e(-)Z], where z is the logit of malignant thyroid nodule, and taking P (us) > 0.50 as boundary value, the prediction accuracy rate was 84.1%. Using this model, 92.2% of the thyroid nodules were predicted as nodular goiter, and 69.4% of the thyroid carcinomas were correctly predicted. P (us) was stratified into four levels: Level 1: 0-16% malignancy; Level 2: 17%-50% malignancy; Level 3: 51%-70% malignancy; and level 4: 71%-100% malignancy.

CONCLUSIONSThe quantitative thyroid imaging reporting and data system developed in this study makes ultrasound reports more objective, normalized and standardized. It can be used to evaluate the malignancy risk of thyroid nodules and help to make right decision in clinics.

Adult ; Calcinosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thyroid Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have demonstrated that ultrasonography is the recommended imaging modality for preoperative staging of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). However, only a few studies have kept watch on preoperative evaluation of capsular invasion (CI) or extracapsular extension (ECE) and cervical lymph node metastasis using preoperative ultrasonography. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the CI or ECE and the cervical lymph node metastasis in PTCs using preoperative ultrasonography and postoperative pathology in Chinese patients.

METHODSThe data of preoperative ultrasonography and postoperative pathology of 166 patients who had a definitive diagnosis of PTCs from October 2011 to July 2014 at Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing were collected and reviewed. Preoperative ultrasonic parameters of thyroid nodules were compared with those of postoperative pathological diagnoses. All the patients were divided into bilateral PTCs group (n = 42, 78 nodules) and unilateral PTCs group (n = 124, 124 nodules), and the data of the nodule sizes, CI or ECE, and cervical lymph node metastasis by preoperative ultrasonography were compared between two groups.

RESULTSA total of 202 nodules of 166 patients which were confirmed by preoperative ultrasonography and postoperative pathology were analyzed. Hypoechogenicity (n = 201, 99.5%) and irregular margins (n = 167, 82.7%) were the main ultrasonic characteristics of PTCs. A significant moderate agreement between preoperative ultrasonic examination and postoperative pathology for CI or ECE (κ = 0.622, P< 0.001) was observed. The diagnostic sensitivity was 92.0%, and specificity was 71.1%. In bilateral PTCs group, 81.0% had CI or ECE, and 61.9% had cervical lymph node metastasis. In unilateral PTCs group, 76.6% had CI or ECE, and 58.1% had cervical lymph node metastasis. There were no significant differences in the incidence of CI or ECE and cervical lymph node metastasis between two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUltrasonography was proved to be a valuable method for preoperative diagnosis of PTCs. Hypoechogenicity and irregular margins were strongly associated with PTCs. CI or ECE in unilateral PTCs strongly implied the cervical lymph node metastasis. Therefore, the cervical lymph nodes should be carefully examined by ultrasonography in patients with PTCs.

Adult ; Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thyroid Nodule ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo compare the ultrasound imaging characteristics of benign and malignant thyroid nodules on the background of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).

METHODSTotally 120 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed benign (n=60) or malignant (n=60) thyroid nodules in Peking Union Medical College Hospital since January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed, and their preoperative ultrasound images were reviewed.

RESULTSSixty cases (100%) of the malignant nodules were papillary thyroid cancers. In the benign group, 33 cases (55.0%) had nodular changes of HT, 26 (43.3%) had nodular goiter, and one (16.7%) had adenoma. Compared with the benign ones,the malignant nodules were more likely to be solid (91.7% vs. 68.3%, P=0.001), hypoechoic (96.7% vs. 48.3%, P=0.000), ill defined (95.0% vs. 41.7%, P=0.000), irregular (96.7% vs. 43.4%, P=0.000), and more easily to have such characteristics as micro-calcification (71.7% vs. 30.0%, P=0.000), absence of regular halo (96.7% vs. 65.0%, P=0.000), taller-than-wide sign (46.7% vs. 13.3%, P=0.000), and locally increased or irregular blood flow (61.7% vs. 26.7%, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSUltrasound has an ideal overall sensitivity in differentiating nodules on the background of HT. Solid structure, hypo-echogenicity, ill-defined margin, irregular shape, and absence of regular halo are good screening ultrasound markers. Except for the A/T≥1, the other variables have less satisfactory diagnostic specificity.

Adult ; Hashimoto Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Thyroid Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of lymphatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (LCEUS) with intra-glandular injection of contrast agent for diagnosis of central compartment lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer. METHODS: From November, 2020 to May, 2022, the patients suspected of having thyroid cancer and scheduled for biopsy at our center received both conventional ultrasound and LCEUS examinations of the central compartment lymph nodes before surgery. All the patients underwent surgical dissection of the lymph nodes. The perfusion features in LCEUS were classified as homogeneous enhancement, heterogeneous enhancement, regular/irregular ring, and non-enhancement. With pathological results as the gold standard, we compared the diagnostic ability of conventional ultrasound and LCEUS for identifying metastasis in the central compartment lymph nodes. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with 60 lymph nodes were included in the final analysis. Pathological examination reported metastasis in 34 of the lymph nodes, and 26 were benign lymph nodes. With ultrasound findings of heterogeneous enhancement, irregular ring and non-enhancement as the criteria for malignant lesions, LCEUS had a diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 97.06%, 92.31% and 95% for diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes, respectively, demonstrating its better performance than conventional ultrasound (P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that LCEUS had a significantly greater area under the curve than conventional ultrasound for diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes (94.7% [0.856-0.988] vs 78.2% [0.656-0.878], P=0.003). CONCLUSION LCEUS can enhance the display and improve the diagnostic accuracy of the central compartment lymph nodes to provide important clinical evidence for making clinical decisions on treatment of thyroid cancer.
Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnostic imaging* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology* ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of preoperative ultrasonography in detecting early cervical lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

METHODSData were reviewed retrospectively from medical records between July 2003 and July 2005, in which patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (study group): 51 (55 sides) patients of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients with impalpable node but with ultrasonic positive nodal metastasis; group B (control group): 57 (64 sides) patients with preoperative palpable cervical lymph nodes. All patients had been undergone modified neck dissection. The preoperative ultrasonographic results and the preoperative pathologic finding had been compared in group A.

RESULTSIn 51 patients (55 sides of preoperative positive ultrasonography 49 sides had been demonstrated cervical lymph nodes metastasis pathologically. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was 89.1%. Ultrasonography detected cervical lymph node believed to be uninvolved by physical examination in 41.2% of patients. 65.5% of the cervical lymph metastasis was multilevel and the most frequent involvement site was middle neck and the involvement rate was 70.9% in ultrasonography. 75.5% of the cervical lymph metastasis was multilevel and the most frequent involvement site was level Ill (65.3%) in pathologic finding.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative ultrasonograpy is a mainstay in detecting cervical lymph nodes metastasis in thyroid cancer patients. It can detect the early cervical lymph node metastasis and localize the position of the cervical metastasis. All the thyroid cancer patients should undergo preoperative ultrasonography and the extent of the neck dissection relies on the preoperative ultrasonic finding of the neck.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Preoperative Care ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of radiomics for predicting lymph node metastasis in the central region of the neck in patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC). METHODS: A total of 189 patients with PTC confirmed by thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy were prospectively enrolled in this study. The cross-sectional and longitudinal ultrasound images and the images of both sections were analyzed for predicting central lymph node metastasis using a radiomics approach with pathological results as the gold standard. RESULTS: In the 189 patients, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of preoperative thyroid ultrasonography for diagnosis of central lymph node metastasis was 69.39%, 64% and 73%, respectively. Based on the ultrasound images of the cross-sections, longitudinal sections and both sections, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of radiomics for predicting central lymph node metastasis was 66.06%/68.12%/77.69%, 53%/46%/40%, and 52%/53%/51%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Radiomics with combined analysis of the ultrasound images on the cross-section and longitudinal section images achieves a higher accuracy for predicting central lymph node metastasis than analysis a single section, and its diagnostic accuracy is much higher than that of conventional ultrasound examination.
Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnostic imaging ; Neck ; Prospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography