Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Detection of Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

BackgroundNodular thyroid disease possesses the potential to harbor malignancy. Our aim was to evaluate the significance of cervical diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) for the detection of malignant thyroid nodules. MethodsSixty-five thyroid nodules from 58 patients who had undergone surgery were evaluated. Preoperative parameters, demographic data, ultrasound findings, fine-needle aspiration biopsy results and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the nodules at DW-MRI were compared with the results from postoperative pathology examinations. ResultsThe “benign group” included 50 (76.9%) nodules, while 15 (23.1%) nodules constituted the “malignancy group”. Minimum, maximum and mean ADC values of the nodules were significantly lower in the malignancy group (P<.05). The best cutoff value for the mean ADC value was 1.33×10−3mm2/s, with a sensitivity of 66.67%, a specifity of 89.13%, a positive predictive value of 53.63% and a negative predictive value of 89.13%. A mean ADC value equal to or lower than 1.33×10−3mm2/s was associated with 9 times higher risk of malignancy (odds ratio: 9.111, 95% confidence interval: 2.49–33.21). ConclusionsThe ADC value detected by cervical DW-MRI can be considered a predictive parameter for the detection of thyroid cancer.