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Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Author Spotlight: Integrating Ultrasound Imaging with Biochemical Markers for Thyroid Disease Diagnosis
Published on: February 9, 2024
Diagnostic value of single-source dual-energy spectral computed tomography for papillary thyroid microcarcinomas
Lin Li1, Yong Wang2, De-Hong Luo1
1Department of Imaging Diagnosis, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background:
Ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) are common diagnostic imaging methods for detecting and diagnosing papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). However, single-source dual-energy spectral computed tomography (spectral CT) reduces beam hardening artefacts and optimizes contrast, which may add value in detecting PTMC.
Objective:
To investigate values of applying single-source dual-energy spectral CT for diagnosing PTMCs, in comparison with high frequency ultrasound and conventional polychromatic images.
Methods:
Thirty-one patients with suspected PTMC underwent contrast-enhanced dual-energy spectral CT. The images were analyzed by two experienced radiologists. Noise and contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) were compared between conventional CT and spectral CT. Ultrasonography was also performed by an experienced radiologist with a 7 to 12-MHz linear array transducer. Detection and diagnostic sensitivity were determined and compared.
Results:
Forty-six pathologically-confirmed PTMC lesions were detected in 31 patients. Spectral CT had lower noise and higher CNR than conventional CT (P < 0.05). US detected more tumors (45/46 [97.8%] than conventional CT images (40/46 [87.0%]) or spectral CT images (44/46 [95.7%]). Among them, 30 (65.2%), 36 (78.3%), and 40 (87.0%) lesions were diagnosed correctly by conventional CT, spectral CT and US, respectively. Spectral CT had higher sensitivity than conventional CT (P = 0.031). However, there was no significant difference between spectral CT and US diagnostic sensitivities (P = 0.125).
Conclusion:
Single-source dual-energy spectral CT was superior to conventional polychromatic images and similar to high frequency ultrasound in detecting and diagnosing for PTMCs. CT had advantages in detecting level VI and VII lymph nodes. Spectral CT and US provided good results for PTMC, and aid preoperative diagnosis.
