The Prevalence and Significance of Incidental Thyroid Nodules Identified on Computed Tomography

• DOI: 10.1097/rct.0b013e318157fd38
• Publication Date: 2008-10-01T07:10:43Z
• Authors: Dae Young Yoon; Suk Ki Chang; Chul Soon Choi; Eun Joo Yun; Young Lan Seo; Eun Suk Nam; Sung Jin Cho; Young-Soo Rho; Hwoe Young Ahn
• Keywords: Hounsfield scale; Thyroid Nodules

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence incidental thyroid nodules (ITN) found on computed tomography (CT) neck and determine whether CT characteristics could distinguish malignant from benign lesions.We retrospectively reviewed scans in 734 patients without known disease (384 men 350 women; mean age, 49.8 +/- 13.7 years). findings ITN such as size, shape (anteroposterior-transverse diameter ratio [AP/T ratio]), margin, peripheral enhancing rim, intralesional calcification, attenuation were analyzed correlated with ultrasonographic (US) findings.One hundred sixty ITNs noted 123 (16.8%) patients. Of 120 whose histological diagnoses available, 15 (12.5%) malignant. Malignant more frequently showed nodular or rim calcifications (46.7% vs 13.3%; P < 0.0005), AP/T greater than 1.0 (33.3% 9.5%; 0.05), value contrast-enhanced scan 130 Hounsfield units (86.7% 49.5%; 0.05) nodules.We at least a 9.4% (15/160) malignancy among detected CT. further evaluation US biopsy should be performed, if an shows features suggesting (calcification; ratio, >1.0; value, >130 HU).