Clinical value of calcifications in thyroid carcinoma and multinodular goiter.
BACKGROUND
To confirm the predictive value of calcifications in thyroid nodules as a risk factor for malignancy and to detect aspects specific for tumours.


METHODS
In a set of 196 patients (33 differentiated thyroid carcinoma, 9 follicular adenomas and 154 multinodular goiters with dominant nodule) calcifications were detected by ultrasound scan.


RESULTS
Calcifications were significantly more frequent in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) than in benign diseases (DTC 39.4%, adenoma 11.1%, goiter 20.1%) but their considered characteristics (size, number, position, location in the gland, sonographic features of the nodule) did not show any particular difference between DTC and benign diseases. The frequency of calcifications in our series was higher in older patients (mean age 59.4 +/- 13.7 vs. 52.1 +/- 13.1 in patients without calcifications, p < 0.001) and this could imply that their onset is time-dependent.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcifications can be a useful indicator of enhanced risk, to be considered in the overall diagnostic process.
Consorti
Fabrizio
F
Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Mediche Applicate-Università La Sapienza Roma, V.le del Policlinico, 00161 Roma, Italy. fabrizio.consorti@uniroma1.it
Anello
Attilio
A
Benvenuti
Claudio
C
Boncompagni
Andrea
A
Giovannone
Gloria
G
Moles
Nicola
N
Scardella
Laura
L
Antonaci
Alfredo
A
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology