Xeroradiographic studies in 150 patients with solitary scintigraphically nonfunctioning nodules of the thyroid gland

Xeroradiographic studies were performed in 150 patients with a solitary scintigraphically nonfunctioning nodule of the thyroid gland. This procedure was demonstrated to be superior to conventional radiographic techniques in imaging the trachea, in the visualization of the cervical subcutaneous and visceral compartments and in the identification of cystic walls. It is also a sensitive method for the detection of calcifications. Psammoma bodies are typical for malignant changes in nodes whereas other types of microcalcifications are nonspecific. Coarse, amorphous calcifications are typical for benign adenomas with regressive changes; shell-like calcifications are seen in longstanding cysts.