Value of ultrasonic calcifications in differential diagnosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma in Hashimoto's thyroiditis background

Abstract

Objective To study the clinical value of ultrasonic calcifications in differential diagnosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma in Hashimoto's thyroiditis background, to provide basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clinical data of 800 patientss with thyroid nodules who were examined by pathological examination were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent ultrasound examination, 180 cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were included in the study group, 620 cases without Hashimoto's thyroiditis were included in the control group.The gold standard was the result of pathology.The value of ultrasonography and calcifications for the identification of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and thyroid papillary carcinoma was compared. Results The average diameter of the study group was (10.78±2.16)mm, which of the control group was (11.98±3.25)mm, there was no significant difference(t=2.153, P=0.083). The accurate rate of ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of benign thyroid nodules and papillary thyroid carcinoma in the study group was 76.67%(138/180), which in the control group was 80.81%(501/620), the difference was not statistically significant(χ2=0.898, P=0.098). There was no significant difference in coarse calcification rate and micro calcification rate of malignant nodules between the two groups(χ2=0.558, P=0.175). In the study group, the rate of micro calcification in malignant nodules was 12.07%, which was significantly higher than 53.13% in benign nodules(χ2=32.142, P=0.001). In the control group, the micro calcification rate and coarse calcification rate of malignant nodules were 49.28% and 12.08%, respectively, which were higher than 19.13% and 6.05% of benign nodules (χ2=67.368, 7.056, P=0.001, 0.009). The coarse calcification rate of benign nodules and malignant nodules in the study group were 6.25% and 11.21%, respectively, there was no significant difference(χ2=1.098, P=0.062). Conclusion Whether associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis has no influence in the ultrasound differential diagnosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma, more micro calcification occurs in malignant nodules, but without the background of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, coarse calcification can also be seen in malignant nodules. Key words: Ultrasonography; Thyroiditis, autoimmune; Thyroid neoplasms; Diagnosis, differential