engleski

Ultrasonographic features of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: five-year experience in thyroid refferal center

Objective: to evaluate ultrasonographic (US) features of thyroid nodules diagnosed by fine- needle aspiration (FNA) as papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTmC). Methods: Thyroid US of patients (pts) with PTmC was retrospectively analysed from a five-year period (2007-2012). Basic demographic data, thyroid mass, location and size of the nodules, US features: echogenicity (hypo-, iso-, hyper-), high central vascularisation (yes/no), microcalcifications (yes/no), irregular borders (yes/no) were evaluated. US ability to detect lymph node metastases in lateral neck compartments was also assessed. Results: 47 PTmC nodules in 47 pts were detected. Mean age of pts was 52 years (range 17y to 80y). There were 44 females and 3 males (14:1). The PTmC nodules were located mostly in the lower third of the right lobe of the thyroid gland - 13 (28%). Only 9 pts (19%) had a goiter and 38 pts (81%) had a normal size of the thyroid. There were 34 (72%) of nodules hypoechogenic, 13 (28%) were isoechogenic. None of the hyperechogenic nodules were found. Microcalcifications were found in 28 pts (60%), high central vascularisation in 2 pts (4%), and irregular borders in 12 pts (26%). The most common combination (17 pts-36%) of US features were positive microcalcifications, negative central vascularisation and irregular borders. PTmC in the Hashimoto's thyroiditis was detected in 12 pts (26%). Ipsilateral lymph node metastases were detected in 2 pts. Conclusion: The most common US features of PTmC nodules are hypoechogenicity and microcalcification. High central vascularisation and irregular borders are a very rare US features predictive for a malignancy.

ultrasonographic features, microcarcinoma

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