The Department of Endocrinology, 
Can New Ultrasound Signs Help in Identifying Follicular Variant of Papillary Carcinoma of Thyroid? – A Pilot Study.
- Radiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
- Pathology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
- Endocrinology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
- Endocrine Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
Ultrasound international open Vol. 2 · Issue 2 · pp. E47-53
PMID 27689170 DOI 10.1055/s-0036-1582304
Cite This Article
C Anuradha, M T Manipadam, H S Asha, N Dukhabandhu, D Abraham, M J Paul. Can New Ultrasound Signs Help in Identifying Follicular Variant of Papillary Carcinoma of Thyroid? – A Pilot Study. Ultrasound international open. 2016;2(2):E47-53. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1582304
Abstract
AIM: To describe two new ultrasound signs for thyroid nodules - "nodule in nodule" and "hypoechoic internal septae" and assess their usefulness in differentiating follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) from benign thyroid nodules (BTN).
METHODOLOGY: Ultrasound findings of 210 patients with histopathologically proven FVPTC (68 nodules, M:F=13:47 with mean age of 39.5±11.9 years) and BTN (165 nodules, (M:F=41:109 with mean age of 44±11.3 years) were retrospectively reviewed from PACS by a single radiologist blinded to the final diagnosis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the best predictors of FVPTC and their diagnostic performance was assessed.
RESULTS: The "nodule in nodule" sign was seen in 80.9% of FVPTC and only 12.1% of BTN. The "hypoechoic internal septae" sign was seen in 44.1% of FVPTC and 17% of BTN. Younger patients, heterogeneous echotexture, nodule in nodule sign, thick incomplete non-uniform halo and presence of significant nodes were the best predictors of FVPTC (p
CONCLUSION: The "nodule in nodule" sign is common in FVPTC and when combined with heterogeneous echotexture can differentiate FVPTC and BTN with high specificity.
Keywords
- head/neck
- thyroid
- ultrasound
