XU Fangting,SUN Yang,LUO Jieli, et al. The value of ultrasonic characteristics of the thyroid nodule calcification in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer[J]. JOURNAL OF WEZHOU MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, 2019, 49(1): 34-37.
Abstract:Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the calcification characteristics in the thyroid nodule including its size, location, quantity, and acoustic shadow. Methods: We reviewed sonographic findings of all calcified nodules which underwent ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) or surgery between July 2015 and April 2017. Surgical pathology or FNA cytology combined with follow-up result was regarded as the ‘Reference Test’. All nodules were firstly divided into three groups according to the size of calcification: ≤1 mm, 1~2 mm, >2 mm, and then the definition of macro-calcification (>1 mm or 2 mm) was determined by analysing the malignancy rate of each group. Secondly, sonographic characteristics of the macro-calcification including its location, quantity and acoustic shadow were analyzed. Results: Among suspiciously malignant nodules on ultrasound, the malignancy rate of nodule with calcification ≤1 mm was significantly higher than nodule with calcification 1~2 mm or >2 mm (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between Group 1~2 mm and Group >2 mm (P>0.05). Among macro-calcified (>1 mm) thyroid nodules, calcification located in the center of the nodule was associated with malignancy while peripheral calcification was associated with benign nodule (P=0.003). However the ultrasonic features, including the quantity and acoustic shadow of the calcification had no significant effect on the diagnosis of thyroid cancer (P>0.05). Conclusion: Calcification ≤1 mm or macro-calcification located in the center of the nodule could be significant indications of thyroid cancer.
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