title: [Characteristics of papillary structure of thyroidal lesions on multiple-slice spiral computed tomography for the diagnosis of thyroidal diseases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the characteristics of papillary structure of thyroidal lesions on MSCT (multiple-slice spiral computed tomography) for the diagnosis of thyroidal diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five cases of thyroidal diseases pathologically confirmed with plain and contrast MSCT data from March 2003 to April 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The number, margin, shape, enhancement behavior, location, calcification and the delineation of papillary structure were compared by the stata 10.1 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were statistically significant differences between thyroidal carcinoma, thyroidal adenoma and nodular goiter in margin, shape and location of papillary structure (P < 0.05). Papillary structure of thyroidal carcinoma was most commonly located in central part with an indistinct margin. Psammoma, such as microcalcification, was characteristic of thyroidal cancer. Coarse and peripheral calcification was commonly observed in nodular goiter. No statistical difference existed in the number and internal septa of papillary structure among thyroidal carcinoma, thyroidal adenoma and nodular goiter (P > 0.05). It could offer a more distinct visualization of papillary structure during the venous phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The features of papillary structure on MSCT of various thyroidal lesions may help make the differential diagnosis of thyroidal lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Guo-Lin
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Rui-Li
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qi
mesh_terms: D000231:Adenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult