Ultrasound-based diagnostic classification for solid and partially cystic thyroid nodules

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The ability of US to differentiate benign thyroid nodules from malignant ones is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of a US-based classification system for solid and PCTNs through a prospectively designed study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 1289 thyroid nodules in 1036 patients who underwent thyroid US, US-FNA, and thyroid surgery. Each thyroid nodule was prospectively classified into 1 of 5 diagnostic categories following real-time US examination: benign, probably benign, borderline, possibly malignant, and malignant. Solid nodules were classified by using all 5 categories, and PCTNs were classified by all except the borderline category. We calculated the diagnostic efficacy of thyroid US by comparing US diagnoses with histopathologic results of surgically resected thyroid nodules.

RESULTS

One thousand fifty-five solid nodules and 234 PCTNs were prospectively classified as benign (n = 435 and 179), probably benign (n = 213 and 25), borderline (n = 94 and 0), possibly malignant (n = 115 and 15), and malignant (n = 198 and 15), respectively. Of these 1289 nodules, 505 were surgically resected and confirmed by pathology (191 benign and 314 malignant nodules); there were 44 resected solid nodules with a borderline category. For solid nodules and PCTNs, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of US diagnosis were 86.1 and 66.7, 90.0 and 88.9, 94.3 and 75.0, 77.3 and 84.2, and 87.5% and 81.5%, respectively, based on 505 surgical specimens and excluding the 42 solid borderline nodules.

CONCLUSIONS

Our US-based classification system can provide helpful guidance for the management of thyroid nodules.

Sonographic differentiation of partially cystic thyroid nodules: a prospective study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is no prospective study related to the sonographic differentiation of malignant PCTN from benign PCTN. This prospective study was designed to evaluate differentiation of benign from malignant PCTNs with thyroid sonography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred thirteen PCTNs in 196 patients who had consecutively undergone prospective sonographic diagnosis and US-FNAB were included. The PCTNs were evaluated according to their configuration and the presence of calcification, a free margin, vascularity, spongiform appearance or daughter cysts, colloid crystal, nodule shape, and echogenicity. Each PCTN was prospectively classified into 1 of 4 diagnostic categories: benign features, probably benign, suspicious for malignancy, and malignant features. We calculated the diagnostic efficacy of a prospective sonographic diagnosis for PCTNs by comparing it with cytopathologic results.

RESULTS

Among the 213 PCTNs, 53 underwent thyroid surgery. The sonographic classifications for 213 PCTNs included benign features (n = 182), probably benign (n = 19), suspicious for malignancy (n = 7), and malignant features (n = 5). When nonsurgical PCTNs (n = 160) with benign sonographic findings and benign cytology were considered negative, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of the prospective diagnosis of PCTNs were 72.7%, 98.0%, 66.7%, 98.5%, and 96.7%, respectively. On the basis of individual analysis, eccentric configuration with an acute angle and microcalcifications were significantly associated with malignancy, but a concentric configuration, a smooth free margin, peripheral vascularity, spongiform appearance or daughter cysts, and intranodular colloid crystals showed a statistically significant association with benignity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our prospective sonographic diagnoses of PCTNs, especially those >2 cm, were highly reliable.

Intracranial stenting in patients with atherosclerotic stenosis associated with various aneurysms in the same diseased arterial segment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Aneurysms are rarely associated with symptomatic intracranial stenosis. We report the results of recanalization by stent placement in patients with symptomatic severe intracranial stenosis associated with adjacent aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 139 patients who underwent intracranial stent placement during a 5-year period, 10 (7%) had symptomatic severe intracranial stenosis associated with adjacent aneurysms. Five were in the VA, 3 in the BA, and 2 in M1. The types of aneurysm were atherosclerotic fusiform (n = 5), ulcerative (n = 4), and saccular (n = 1). We analyzed angiographic findings based on biplane and 3D angiograms and assessed patient outcomes and complications after stent placement. The results were compared with those of a control group without aneurysms who underwent stent placement during the same study period.

RESULTS

Aneurysm locations were post- (n = 6), in- (n = 2), and pre-stenotic (n = 2). After angioplasty with stent placement and/or aneurysm embolization, there were no lesion-related strokes or deaths during a median follow-up period of 25 months (range, 11-43 months). One patient had asymptomatic restenosis. The final mRS score was good (≤2) in all patients. There were no statistically significant differences in event or restenosis rates compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjacent aneurysms were rarely associated with severe intracranial stenosis but were more common in the posterior circulation. Intracranial stent placement may be performed without additional stroke risk, regardless of the type and location of the aneurysm.

Sonographic differentiation of asymptomatic diffuse thyroid disease from normal thyroid: a prospective study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is no useful guide or study related to the differentiation of asymptomatic diffuse thyroid disease from normal thyroid by using thyroid US. This study was prospectively designed to evaluate the efficacy of the use of real-time thyroid sonography as performed by an experienced radiologist for the identification of asymptomatic DTD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2008 to December 2008, 2267 patients underwent thyroid sonography in our hospital by 1 radiologist. Each patient's thyroid was prospectively classified as being in 1 of 4 of the following diagnostic categories on the basis of the sonographic features as determined with the use of real-time sonography: suggestive for DTD, suspicious for DTD, indeterminate, and no evidence of DTD. We calculated the diagnostic efficacy of the sonographic classifications compared with the pathology results.

RESULTS

Sonographic classifications for DTD in 340 patients who underwent thyroid surgery because of thyroid malignancy or other causes included the following: suggestive for DTD (n = 32), suspicious for DTD (n = 39), indeterminate (n = 18), and no evidence of DTD (n = 251). On the pathology, HT (n = 33), chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (n = 27), diffuse hyperplasia (n = 2), and NTP (n = 278) were identified. There were true-positive cases (n = 50), true-negative cases (n = 244), false-positive cases (n = 21), and false-negative cases (n = 7). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for a diagnosis of asymptomatic DTD were 87.7%, 92.1%, 70.4%, 97.2%and 91.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present sonographic classification based on real-time sonography of the thyroid is a useful tool for differentiating asymptomatic DTD from normal thyroid.

Bronchial artery arising from the left gastric artery in a patient with massive haemoptysis

This report describes a bronchial artery originating from the left gastric artery in a patient with recurrent massive haemoptysis caused by chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. The artery was not evident on the initial angiographic work-up including thoracic aortography, but it was evident in the selective angiography upon follow-up study. Haemoptysis was successfully controlled with transarterial embolisation. The left gastric artery should be included as a location for the possible origin of the bronchial artery.