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[Vascularization of single thyroid nodule as an indicator malignant neoplasm: a study using echo-color-Doppler]
M Urso1, L Angelillis, G B Ambrosio
1Complesso Convenzionato dell'Università degli Studi di Padova, Divisione Medica I, Ospedale Civile di Venezia.
Annali Italiani Di Medicina Interna : Organo Ufficiale Della Societa Italiana Di Medicina Interna
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Color-flow Doppler (CFD) sonography accurately identifies malignant thyroid nodules by detecting intense vascularization. This sensitive method shows high specificity in diagnosing solitary, scintigraphically "cold" thyroid nodules, distinguishing benign from malignant cases.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Malignant thyroid nodules often exhibit intense vascularization.
- Color-flow Doppler (CFD) sonography may aid in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid pathology.
- Solitary and scintigraphically "cold" thyroid nodules require accurate diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of CFD sonography in diagnosing solitary, scintigraphically "cold" thyroid nodules.
- To distinguish between benign and malignant nodular thyroid pathology using CFD.
- To assess the sensitivity and specificity of CFD sonography for thyroid nodules.
Main Methods:
- 119 patients with thyroid nodules underwent hormonal assays, scintigraphy, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), echography, and CFD sonography.
- Histological examination was performed in 19 patients.
- CFD sonography assessed intranodular vascularization patterns.
Main Results:
- CFD sonography detected intense intranodular vascularization in 2 papillary carcinomas (100% sensitivity).
- Of 17 benign follicular adenomas, 2 showed intense vascularization (88.2% specificity).
- No intralesional hypervascularization was observed in 2 false-positive FNAB cases.
Conclusions:
- CFD sonography is a highly sensitive (no false negatives) and specific (2 false positives) tool for diagnosing "cold" solitary thyroid nodules.
- The method shows promise in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules.
- Further studies with larger sample sizes, including follicular carcinoma, are warranted.