CT features of small thyroid carcinoma

ZHANG Weiqiang; JIANG Mingxiang; SHAO Guoliang; CHENG Bo

Abstract：Objective To explore the CT findings of small thyroid carcinoma and to enhance the diagnosis level of this dis -ease.Methods The CT characteristics of 50 patients (28 females, 22 males, median age 46 years old) with pathologically proved STC (diameter, 1.0 to 2.0 cm) were retrospectively reviewed.CT images were evaluated in relation to the following:lo-cation, size, morphology, margin, CT density and enhancement pattern .Results 1) There were total 59 lesions in 50 patients. The single lesion was detected in 43 cases, two lesions in 5 cases, and multiple lesions in 2 cases.Sixteen cases were combined with nodular goiter, 6 cases with Hasbimoto’s disease and 2 cases with thyroid adenoma;2) of the 59 lesions, 18 were round and 41 were irregular , 13 lesions showed smooth edge and 46 lesions demonstrated foggy edge .45 lesions manifested discontinuous contour of the thyroid, but they didn’t invade the surrounding soft tissues and important organs;3) 44 lesions manifested as low-density and 15 lesions manifested as isodensity without obvious hemorrhage or necrosis area on non -enhanced CT .32 lesions showed calcifications , with granular calcifications in 23 lesions being the most common .After intravenous injection of contrast media, 53 lesions demonstrated remarkable enhancement , 6 lesions demonstrated mild enhancement;4) Enlarged cervical lymph nodes were found in 15 cases ( 30 .0%) , which displayed solid or cystic-solid appearances on non-enhanced CT .They showed markedly enhancement on post-contrast CT.In 6 cases, there were granular calcifications within the enlarged lymph nodes .Con-clusion Solid thyroid nodule with foggy edge , discontinuous contour , granular calcifications and marked enhancement , accompa-nied with enlarged lymph nodes with solid or cystic-solid appearances and obvious enhancement can indicate the diagnosis of STC . CT examinations can accurately demonstrate the extent of tumor involvement , lymph node metastasis and are helpful to provide more comprehensive information for STC management .