Sonographic features of thyroid follicular carcinoma in comparison with thyroid follicular adenoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the sonographic features of thyroid follicular carcinoma in comparison with thyroid follicular adenoma.


METHODS
This retrospective study included 36 pathologically proven follicular carcinomas (5 widely invasive and 31 minimally invasive) and 52 follicular adenomas in 88 patients who underwent thyroid surgery. We analyzed the sonographic features of each tumor, including maximum diameter, peripheral halo, echogenicity, echo texture, calcifications, and nodularity. The frequencies of the sonographic features were compared by χ(2) and Fisher exact tests between follicular adenomas and carcinomas. The relative risk of malignancy was evaluated by logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Predominantly solid contents, hypoechoic echogenicity, a heterogeneous echo texture, the presence of calcifications, and an absent or irregular thick halo were associated with follicular carcinoma (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that predominantly solid contents, a heterogeneous echo texture, and the presence of calcifications were associated with significant increases in the relative risk of follicular carcinoma (odds ratios, 9.4, 24.9, and 25.6, respectively; P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Sonography could provide useful information for differentiating follicular carcinoma from follicular adenoma.
Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, 600 Yi Shan Rd, 200233 Shanghai, China. zhangjizhen2006@sina.com.
Ji-Zhen
JZ
Zhang
Bing
B
Hu
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
follicular adenoma; follicular carcinoma; general ultrasound; sonography; thyroid