Computed Tomography Findings for Diagnosing Follicular Thyroid Neoplasms

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Endocrinology
• Oncology

Background:

• Distinguishing follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) is challenging, as definitive diagnosis typically requires surgery.
• There is a clinical need for non-invasive methods to differentiate these follicular neoplasms preoperatively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate computed tomography (CT) features for preoperative differentiation of FTC from FTA.
• To identify specific CT characteristics that can assist in distinguishing malignant follicular thyroid tumors from benign ones.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 205 patients with histopathologically diagnosed FTC (n=31) or FTA (n=174).
• Review of preoperative neck CT scans, including non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced images.
• Analysis of CT features using univariate and multivariate statistical methods.

Main Results:

• Inhomogeneous tumor lesion features on contrast-enhanced CT were significantly more frequent in FTC compared to FTA (p=0.0032).
• Multivariate analysis confirmed inhomogeneous features on contrast-enhanced CT as an independent predictor of FTC (p=0.0023).

Conclusions:

• Computed tomography (CT) imaging can provide valuable assistance in the preoperative differentiation of follicular thyroid carcinoma from follicular thyroid adenoma.
• The presence of inhomogeneous features on contrast-enhanced CT is a significant indicator for identifying FTC.