Thyroid Ultrasound and Other Imaging Procedures in the Pediatric Age.
The purpose of this review is to provide a reappraisal of the diagnostic imaging procedures for thyroid carcinoma in pediatric patients, including thyroid ultrasound (US), ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), scintigraphy, radiological techniques (CT, MR), and PET/CT. The most frequent indication for thyroid imaging is characterization of a palpable mass in the neck or thyroid gland. Thyroid US is a first-line examination for visualizing the thyroid gland as it provides anatomic and perfusion information; on the other hand, scintigraphy mostly provides functional information but combined with some anatomic information as well. CT and MRI have a supplemental role in these patients. Furthermore, with the introduction of PET/CT and the development of new imaging agents, nuclear medicine plays an important role in different phases of neoplastic disease in terms of both staging and evaluation of response to medical/surgical treatments.
Regional Center of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy..
Federica
F
Guidoccio
Mariano
M
Grosso
Federica
F
Orsini
Giuseppe
G
Boni
Giuliano
G
Mariani
Duccio
D
Volterrani
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
CT.; MRI; PET/CT in DTC; Thyroid Ultrasound; Thyroid carcinoma in pediatric patients