Magnetic resonance imaging in diagnostic algorithm of solitary cold thyroid nodules.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to determine the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a diagnostic algorithm for thyroid nodules.


METHODS
Forty-four patients with solitary "cold" thyroid nodules were included in our study. MR images were analyzed visually.


RESULTS
Benign nodules were shown as sharply marginated lesions classified by various signal intensity depending on nodule content. Thyroid carcinomas were shown as isointense or slightly hypointense lesions on T1-weighted images and hyperintense inhomogeneous lesions on T2-weighted images compared to normal thyroid tissue; following contrast, malignancies showed marked enhancement in most of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
In a thyroid diagnostic algorithm, conventional procedures such as ultrasound with fine needle aspiration and radionuclide scintigraphy should be performed first. In comparison with computed tomography (CT), MRI is superior because of better spatial resolution and the absence of ionizing radiation. MRI has its place in the staging of thyroid carcinoma and the preoperative assessment of the extent of malignant invasion of surrounding neck structures.
Mihailović
J
J
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Oncology, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia. jasnans@EUnet.yu
Stefanović
Lj
Lj
Prvulovic
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed