CASTLE tumour of the thyroid. Value of multiplanar imaging acquisition.
OBJECTIVE
Thyroid carcinomas thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) are rare. The aim of this paper is to address a valid diagnostic and therapeutic protocol for these tumours using three exemplary cases and the previously published literature.


METHODS
The routine use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in all cases of unclear thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or in cases of multiple neck masses.


RESULTS
Three cases of thyroid CASTLE tumours, finally confirmed by histology, are evaluated. All three patients remain in good conditions after an aggressive surgical approach followed by radiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI should be routinely used in cases of unclear FNAC or multiple neck masses, Surgery and radiotherapy are effective to manage thyroid CASTLE tumours.
Musella
Mario
M
General and Emergency Surgery, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy. dimusell@unina.it
De Franciscis
Stefano
S
Amorosi
Andrea
A
Milone
Francesco
F
Truvolo
Simona
S
Pede
Alfredo
A
Kuhn
Jens K
JK
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy