Thyroid follicular neoplasms: can sonography distinguish between adenomas and carcinomas?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether sonography (US) can usefully differentiate thyroid follicular adenoma (FA) and follicular carcinoma (FC).


METHODS
This retrospective study included 60 pathologically proven FAs and 66 FCs in 123 consecutive patients (17 males and 106 females) with a mean age of 47 +/- 13 years, (17-73 years) who underwent thyroid surgery. We analyzed US features of each nodule, including maximum diameter, echogenicity, composition, presence of calcification, margins, and presence of halo. The frequencies of each US feature were compared by using the chi(2) test or Fisher's exact test between FAs and FCs. The relative risk of malignancy was evaluated by logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Isohypoechoic echogenicity, predominantly solid or mixed echotexture, and presence of microcalcifications or rim calcifications were associated with FC (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that predominantly solid or mixed echotexture and microcalcifications or rim calcifications were associated with significant increases in relative risk for FC (odds ratio 8.1 and odds ratio 13.5, respectively, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The US features of isohypoechoic echogenicity, predominantly solid or mixed echotexture, and microcalcifications or rim calcifications are more common in FC than in FA.
Seo
Hyung Suk
HS
Department of Radiology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan-si, Kyunggi-do, 425-707, Korea.
Lee
Dong Hoon
DH
Park
Sung Hye
SH
Min
Hye Sook
HS
Na
Dong Gyu
DG
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult