title: Predictive value for malignancy in the finding of microcalcifications on ultrasonography of thyroid nodules.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value for malignancy of microcalcifications determined by ultrasonography in thyroid nodules.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred seventy-seven nodules were prospectively studied by ultrasonography and compared with their fine-needle aspirative biopsy. The association between the presence and type of calcification and cytologic findings was verified through the chi-square test or likelihood ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty nodules showed calcification, of which 17 had fine calcifications, 3 had fine and gross calcifications, and 10 had only coarse calcification. Seven (41.18%) of 17 fine calcified nodules were malignant on cytology, 8 (47.06%) were benign, 1 (5.88%) was indeterminate, and 1 was suspect for malignancy. We found statistical significance between the presence of fine calcifications and malignancy (p = .001) and, in the 13 malignant nodule group, 8 (61.50%) had fine calcifications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that microcalcifications were highly specific for malignancy and were present in 61% of the malignant nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. mcchammas@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chammas
authors.forename: Vergilius José F
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: de Araujo Filho
authors.forename: Raquel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moysés
authors.forename: Marília D G
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Brescia
authors.forename: Grace C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Mulatti
authors.forename: Lenine G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Brandão
authors.forename: Giovanni G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Cerri
authors.forename: Alberto R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ferraz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional