Hypervascular thyroid nodules on time-resolved MR angiography at 3 T: radiologic-pathologic correlation.
OBJECTIVE
Detection of a thyroid nodule, either incidental or as a result of related symptomatology, is an extremely common event, often inducing considerable uncertainty regarding the requirement for and best means of further investigation. Whereas tissue sampling represents the sole means of true characterization of these lesions, a number of imaging characteristics have been suggested as potential indicators of the presence of malignancy. The potential value of time-resolved MR angiography, whereby a minimal dose of i.v. contrast agent is dynamically depicted during the first pass of the bolus through the various compartments of circulation, has recently been realized, particularly so with regard to supraaortic angiography. However, it is not uncommon during such temporal imaging to identify focal hyperenhancing thyroid nodules, the significance of which has not previously been described in the literature. We describe the frequency of occurrence and potential significance of this finding, using pathologic correlation where available.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of malignancy in incidentally detected focal hyperenhancing thyroid parenchymal nodules during time-resolved MR angiography is significant, representing 8.3% (1/12) of patients for whom cytologic correlation was available. Further investigation is certainly warranted when encountering such a lesion in clinical practice, particularly because it appears as though time-resolved MR angiography is of no value in the pathologic discrimination of such incidentally identified lesions.
Lohan
Derek G
DG
Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Peter V. Ueberroth Bldg., Ste. 3371, 10945 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095-7206, USA. derek.lohan@gmail.com
Tomasian
Anderanik
A
Saleh
Roya
R
Krishnam
Mayil
M
Finn
J Paul
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA