title: Multi-slice CT of thyroid nodules: comparison with ultrasonography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the usefulness of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) in comparison with ultrasonography (US) for the differentiation of benign from malignant thyroid nodules and the evaluation of tumor extension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with thyroid nodules (14 malignant, 16 benign) who underwent both MSCT and US participated in the present study. MSCT with contrast enhancement was performed, and 3D shaded volume rendering (SVR) and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) were employed to differentiate benign from malignant nodules and to evaluate tumor extension. US images were obtained using a 7.5 MHz annular array probe. A three-point rating scale was used for image interpretation, and the kappa statistic was employed to evaluate agreement between MSCT and US.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensitivity in differentiating benign from malignant nodules was found to be 85.7% for US and 78.6% for MSCT. Disagreement between MSCT and US occurred in assessing the homogeneity of the solid component and the presence of fibrous capsule. In two of seven T4 cases, MPR provided a more accurate diagnosis than US examination in detecting extracapsular invasion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, US was found to be better than MSCT. However, MSCT could be useful for the evaluation of advanced cases with suspicion of extracapsular extension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishigaki
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimamoto
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Satake
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sawaki
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishigaki
authors.forename: Tsuneo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imai
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography