title: Correlation between the size of incidental thyroid nodules detected on CT, MRI or PET-CT and subsequent ultrasound.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between size of thyroid nodules at computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography CT (PET-CT), and size at ultrasound.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of thyroid ultrasound studies over a 2-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 307 patients were included in the study. There was a statistically significant difference between the size of nodules measured on ultrasound compared with cross-sectional imaging (P < .001). American College of Radiology white paper recommendations would have decreased ultrasound referrals by 24% without any additional missed malignancies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cross-sectional imaging underestimates the size of thyroid nodules; however, the difference is small and likely not clinically significant.
authors: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215. Electronic address: Jnimhuir@bidmc.harvard.edu.
authors: Jennifer M
authors: JM
authors: Ní Mhuircheartaigh
authors: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.
authors: Bettina
authors: B
authors: Siewert
authors: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.
authors: Maryellen R
authors: MR
authors: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Computed tomography; Incidental; Thyroid; Ultrasound