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| The value of coarse calcification in thyroid nodules on CT in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions |
| SHU Yan-yan1, CHEN Wen-hui2, HAN Zhi-jiang2, DING Jin-wang2 |
| 1. Department of Radiology, the First People’s Hospital of Hangzhou, Xiaoshan Area, Hangzhou 311200, China;2. The First People’s Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou 310006, China |
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Abstract Objective: To summarize the computed tomgraphic characteristic of thyroid nodule with coarse calcification and assess the value of coarse calcification in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis between benign nodules and malignant nodules. Methods: CT findings of 217 nodules with coarse calcifications in 175 patients were retrospectively analysed. All of the patients had pathological diagnosis. Coarse calcifications were divided into simple coarse calcifications(SCC) and non-simple coarse calcifications(non-SCC) according to an associated mass around them, and non-SCC were subdivided into regular coarse calcifications and irregular coarse calcifications according to calcification patterns. Observing the distribution of SCC, regular coarse calcifications, irregular coarse calcifications and clearer borderline around coarse calcifications on enhanced CT than plain CT, and analyse the sensitivity, specificity, positive predicive value and accuracy of SCC for benign nodules, clearer borderline around coarse calcifications on enhanced CT than plain CT for benign nodules of non-SCC and irregular coarse calcifications for malignant nodules of non-SCC. Results: Among 217 coarse calcifications, 169 coarse calcifications were benign nodules, and 48 coarse calcifications were malignant nodules. SCC was more common in benign nodules(P<0.05), clearer borderline around coarse calcifications on enhanced CT than on plain CT was more common in benign nodules of non-SCC(P<0.05), and irregular coarse calcifications was more common in malignant nodules of non-SCC(P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicive value and accuracy of SCC for benign nodules, clearer borderline around coarse calcifications on enhanced CT than on plain CT for benign nodules of non-SCC and irregular coarse calcifications for malignant nodules of non-SCC were 29% vs 60.8% vs 57.1%, 87.5% vs 71.4% vs 71.7%, 89.1% vs 85.9% vs 41.4% and 41.9% vs 63.6% vs 67.9% respectively. Conclusions: SCC are helpful for the diagnosis of benign nodules, clearer borderline around coarse calcifications on enhanced CT than on plain CT indicate the diagnosis of benign nodules of non-SCC, and irregular coarse calcifications for malignant nodules of non-SCC.
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Received: 27 May 2013
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Corresponding Authors:
HAN Zhi-jiang
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2013, Vol. 24 
