title: Characterization of papillary thyroid microcarcinomas using sonographic features in malignant papillary thyroid cancer: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: The diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules is still a clinical challenge. This study aimed to determine the ultrasonographic characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The ultrasonographic and pathological data of 2453 thyroid nodules in a cohort of 1895 Chinese patients who underwent thyroidectomy from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Anteroposterior and transversal (AP/TR) diameters ≥1, solid structure, infiltrative margins, hypoechoic appearance, and microcalcifications were more common in malignant nodules than in benign nodules (P < 0.01). These ultrasonographic features were independent risk factors of malignancy (P < 0.01) as determined by logistic regression analysis. Based on multivariate analysis, these characteristics were also present in large nodules (diameter >10 mm). However, in small nodules (diameter ≤10 mm), only AP/TR ≥1 and infiltrative margins were independent risk factors of malignancy (P < 0.01). Ultrasonography is of high diagnostic value for malignant thyroid nodules and may help to improve the differential diagnosis. Small and large nodules have distinct ultrasonographic features.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Endocrinology (WG, HY, GY, QG, NJ, LZ, KC, JD, XW, LY, JB, JD, YM, CP, ZL), PLA General Hospital; Beijing Haidian Hospital (HY); Department of Ultrasonography (YL); and Department of Pathology (FW), PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Jun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Hui-Xian
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Yu-Kun
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Fu-Lin
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guo-Qing
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qing-Hua
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Nian
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Xian-Ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-Juan
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jian-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ba
authors.forename: Jing-Tao
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Dou
authors.forename: Yi-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Chang-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Zhao-Hui
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Lv
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002114:Calcinosis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult