Computed tomography features of papillary thyroid carcinomas

No previous study has been reported on computed tomography (CT) features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This study aimed to evaluate CT features of PTCs and to compare the ultrasound (US) and CT features of PTCs.

This study enrolled 134 consecutive PTC patients who received neck US and CT examinations before thyroid surgery. For each case, US and CT features were retrospectively and independently investigated by a single radiologist using a picture archiving and communication system.

Of the 120 PTC cases, 106 were detected by CT, but 14 were not visualized. In each CT category, the most common feature included low attenuation, homogeneous attenuation, a taller-than-wide shape, no calcifications, decreased enhancement, and homogeneous enhancement. In the comparison of US and CT features, nodular shape and calcification demonstrated a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05), but no significant difference existed in the nodular margin (P = 0.559). For the 21 PTCs with ultrasonographically detected microcalcifications, CT showed no calcifications.

The study results demonstrated that the most common CT features of PTCs included homogenous low attenuation, a taller-than-wide shape, no calcifications, and homogeneous decreased enhancement and that CT was inferior to US for evaluating nodular shape and calcification.