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Calcifications in thyroid nodules identified on preoperative computed tomography: Patterns and clinical significance.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21911238     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patterns and clinical importance of calcifications in thyroid nodules identified on preoperative computed tomography (CT). METHODS: CT of 383 patients undergoing thyroid operations were reevaluated to identify thyroid calcification. A novel classification for thyroid calcifications on CT images was applied. The prevalence and patterns of calcification were classified, analyzed, and correlated with clinical and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Of the 383 patients, 135 (35.2%) had intrathyroidal calcifications identified on CT. Among these 135 patients, 65 (48%) were found to have thyroid cancer on definitive histopathology. The incidence of cancer was greater in calcified nodules (48%) than in noncalcified nodules (20%; P < .001). According to the calcification patterns, 2 of 9 (22%) nodules with peripheral calcification, 11 of 52 (21%) nodules with coarse calcification, 18 of 31 (58%) nodules with a single punctate calcification, and 34 of 43 (79%) nodules with multiple punctate calcifications were malignant. In the subset of 42 patients who presented with a solitary calcified nodule, 35 (83%) were found to have cancer. In addition, the incidence of lymph node metastases is greater in malignant nodules with calcification than in those without (48% vs 25%; P = .01). CONCLUSION: Thyroid calcification found on preoperative CT may represent an increased risk for thyroid malignancy. When the pattern shows multiple punctate calcification or the calcification is noted within a solitary nodule, the risk of malignancy is high in this study.
Authors:
Che-Wei Wu; Gianlorenzo Dionigi; Ka-Wo Lee; Pi-Jung Hsiao; Ming-Chen Paul Shin; Kuo-Bow Tsai; Feng-Yu Chiang
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-9-10
Journal Detail:
Title:  Surgery     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1532-7361     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-9-13     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0417347     Medline TA:  Surgery     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsaio-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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