CT feature of microcarcinoma of thyroid / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the imaging feature of microcarcinoma of thyroid with CT.Methods CT findings of 50 lesions in 47 patients with microcarcinoma of thyroid ( dimeter,0.5 to 1.0 cm) were retrospectively analyzed.All of the patients had pathological diagnosis.Results Of the 50 lesions,38 lesions showed homogeneous low density on non-enhanced CT and various degree of enhancement on postcontrast CT. Thirty-three lesions showed discontinuous edge of the thyroids on non-enhanced CT. The boundary of 30 lesions became unclear on post-contrast CT relative to non-enhanced CT and the extension of low density of lesions decreased. Theshape of 31 lesions were irregular. Fifteen lesions showed calcifications,with granular calcifications in 13 lesions.Ten lesions were complicated with thyroiditis.Conclusions Irregular shape,discontinuous edge of the thyroids,the shrinkage of low density of lesions on post-contrast CT relative to non-enhanced CT,granular calcifications and multiple small lymph node around lesions indicate the diagnosis of microcarcinoma of the thyroid.It should be noted that thyroiditis can cover up microcarcinoma of thyroid.