[Value of multi-slice helical CT in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the value of multi-slice helical CT in the differentiation of benign from malignant thyroid lesions.


METHODS
The multi-slice helical CT images of 72 patients with 82 thyroid lesions were prospectively studied. The CT features including the margin, density of the lesion and cervical lymph node enlargement were evaluated double-blindly. All the image findings were compared with the pathological results, and analyzed statistically using the Chi-square test.


RESULTS
Of 42 benign lesions, 38 (90.5 % ) showed well-defined margin, 13 (30. 9% ) contained low density nodular areas, 3 (7. 1% ) showed granular calcifications, and 2 (4. 8% ) had cervical lymph node enlargement. Of 40 thyroid carcinomas, 37 lesions(92.5% ) had irregular border, no lesion contained low density nodular areas, 14 (35. 0%) showed granular calcifications, and 31 (77. 5% ) had enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Nineteen lesions (55. 9% ) from 34 thyroid carcinoma patients who had undergone contrast enhanced CT scan showed complex density, while only 2(6. 3% ) of 32 benign lesions showed such findings on contrast enhancement. There were statistically significant differences between benign and malignant lesion in margin, low density nodular area, granular calcification, cervical lymph node enlargement and complex density( P <0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of well-defined margin and low density nodular area in CT image may suggest benign thyroid lesions, whereas the presence of irregular border, granular calcifications and cervical lymph node enlargement as well as complex density may indicate thyroid malignancy.
Yao
Xue-song
XS
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cancer Hospital( Institute), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Luo
De-hong
DH
Li
Lin
L
Wu
Ning
N
Zhou
Chun-wu
CW
D000236:Adenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*