Using Diffusion-Weighted MRI to Predict Central Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Feasibility...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a common endocrine malignancy.
• Accurate preoperative assessment of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is crucial for effective PTC management.
• Current diagnostic methods for CLNM may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of multi b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as a quantitative tool for predicting CLNM in PTC.
• To assess the diagnostic performance of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) derived from DWI.
• To develop a predictive model for CLNM risk in PTC patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 214 PTC patients who underwent multi b-value DWI (b=300, 500, 800 s/mm²).
• Calculation of ADCs at different b-values and correlation with CLNM status.
• Logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of CLNM and construct a nomogram.

Main Results:

• Lower ADC values (ADC300, ADC500, ADC800) were significantly associated with CLNM.
• ADC500 demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance (AUC=0.817) for differentiating CLNM.
• A nomogram incorporating gender, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, and ADC500 achieved an AUC of 0.894 for CLNM prediction.

Conclusions:

• Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) from DWI are valuable noninvasive biomarkers for evaluating CLNM in PTC.
• The developed nomogram provides an effective preoperative tool for assessing CLNM risk in PTC patients.