Comparison of the diagnostic value of US and MRI for papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To compare the image features of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and ultrasound(US) for papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC). Methods From January 2015 to April 2016, 86 consecutive patients underwent surgery and pathologically confirmed PTCs in the People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University were selected.All patients received neck US and MRI examination before thyroid surgery.For each case, the US and MRI features emphasized included the echogenic/signal, margin, shape, anteroposterior to transverse diameter ratio(A/T), microcalcifications and lymph node metastasis.Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test. Results In the comparison of US and MRI features, A/T≥1(41.9% in US and 62.8% in MRI) and lymph node metastasis(88.0% in MRI; 56.0% in US) demonstrated statistically significant differences (χ2=7.551, P=0.009; χ2=6.349, P=0.025), and no significant differences were observed in the margin, shape(P=0.724, P=0.316). Conclusion The MRI features of PTCs included A/T and lymph node metastasis was superior to US. Key words: Thyroid neoplasm; Carcinoma, papillary; Magnetic resonance imaging; Ultrasonography