J Korean Soc Radiol.  2009 Jun;60(6):383-389. 10.3348/jksr.2009.60.6.383.

Diagnostic Value of CT for the Detection of Cervical Lymph Node Metastases in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

• Son KR
• Na DG
• Chang KH

• KMID: 1471205
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2009.60.6.383

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of CT for the detection of cervical lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two hundred twelve consecutive patients with surgically proven PTC were included in this study. CT images were retrospectively evaluated to determine the presence of a node metastasis using morphologic CT criteria (at least one of the following: strong nodal enhancement without hilar vessel enhancement, heterogeneous enhancement, calcification, and cystic change). The diagnostic accuracy of CT for the diagnosis of a metastatic lymph node was assessed using a level-bylevel analysis.
RESULTS
The accuracy of the CT finding for strong nodal enhancement was greater than the other morphologic CT criteria (81.6% and 74.5-78.5%, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 64.4%, 91.4%, and 84.3% by the morphologic CT criteria, and were 34.6%, 93.9%, and 78.2% by size criteria, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The morphologic CT criteria are more accurate than the size criteria in the detection of cervical lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma; and, strong nodal enhancement on a CT scan is the most important factor for its diagnostic accuracy.

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma
Carcinoma, Papillary
Factor IX
Glycosaminoglycans
Humans
Lymph Nodes
Neoplasm Metastasis
Retrospective Studies
Sensitivity and Specificity
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Carcinoma
Factor IX
Glycosaminoglycans
Thyroid Neoplasms