Histopathological correlation of punctate echogenic foci on ultrasonography in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the pathological entities of punctate echogenic foci (PEF) by correlating PEF with histopathological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). METHODS: This study included 121 consecutive patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for PTC. The inclusion criterion was entire tumor resection with a 3-mm thickness for histopathological examination. We assessed the presence and number (<5 or ≥5) of PEF defined as punctate hyperechoic foci within the solid component of nodules. All surgical tumor specimens were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of microcalcifications, including the psammomatous calcification, coarse microcalcification, and micro-ossification, and inspissated colloid. RESULTS: PEF were detected in 71 (58.7%) PTCs. Psammomatous calcifications, coarse microcalcifications, and inspissated colloids were more frequently found in PTCs with PEF than in those without (74.6%, 42.3%, and 46.5%, respectively, p ≤ 0.024). Any type of microcalcification was found in 90.1% of PTCs with PEF. Psammomatous calcifications, coarse microcalcifications, and inspissated colloids were independently associated with PEF (p ≤ 0.012). Psammomatous calcifications were found in all PTCs with a high number (≥5) of PEF. CONCLUSION: Microcalcifications were found in most PTCs with PEF and psammomatous calcification was the main pathological entity of PEF in PTC. Our study validates reliability of PEF as a predictor of microcalcifications in PTC.

Which ultrasound image plane is appropriate for evaluating the taller-than-wide sign in the risk stratification of thyroid nodules?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the ultrasound (US) image plane appropriate for evaluating the taller-than-wide (TTW) sign in the risk stratification of thyroid nodules using the five widely used risk stratification systems (RSSs). METHODS: A total of 1905 consecutive thyroid nodules with final diagnoses were included. The TTW sign was prospectively assessed in the transverse and longitudinal US image planes. The diagnostic performances of the TTW sign and biopsy criteria by the RSSs for malignancy were compared by sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis between the two criteria of TTW signs according to image planes (criterion 1, transverse plane; criterion 2, either transverse or longitudinal plane). RESULTS: Of all 1905 nodules, 1481 (77.7%) were benign and 424 (22.3%) were malignant. The criteria 1 and 2 of TTW signs had similar sensitivities (37.5% and 38.7%) and specificities (94.8% and 94.4%) with minimal differences, and the area under the curve (AUC) of TTW signs for malignancy was not significantly different between criteria 1 and 2 (0.662 and 0.665, p = 0.158, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of biopsy criteria by the five RSSs were not significantly different between criteria 1 and 2 in nodules ≥ 1 cm (p ≥ 0.157, p ≥ 0.317, and p ≥ 0.198, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic performances of the TTW sign and biopsy criteria of the five RSSs were similar between criteria 1 and 2. TTW signs by criterion 1 (transverse plane) may be appropriate in the risk stratification of thyroid nodules. KEY POINTS: • The diagnostic performance of the taller-than-wide sign by ROC analysis was not significantly different between US image plane criteria (transverse plane vs. either transverse or longitudinal plane). • The diagnostic performances of biopsy criteria for malignancy by the five risk stratification systems were similar between the two taller-than-wide sign criteria. • The taller-than-wide sign using the transverse plane may be appropriate in the risk stratification of thyroid nodules.

Ultrasound malignancy risk stratification of thyroid nodules based on the degree of hypoechogenicity and echotexture.

OBJECTIVES: The ultrasound (US) lexicon of nodule echogenicity and echotexture is one of the major differences among various risk stratification systems of thyroid nodules. This study aimed to stratify the US malignancy risk of thyroid nodules based on their degree of hypoechogenicity and echotexture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 2255 consecutive thyroid nodules (≥ 1 cm) with final diagnoses (malignancy rate, 13%) from 2011 to 2016. Thyroid nodules were stratified according to the US degree of hypoechogenicity (mild, moderate, or marked hypoechogenicity) and echotexture (homogeneous vs. heterogeneous). The calculated malignancy risk was compared between each category. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of malignancy risk between the homogeneous markedly hypoechoic and moderately hypoechoic nodules (p ≥ .18). However, the malignancy risks of markedly and moderately hypoechoic nodules were significantly higher than those of mildly hypoechoic nodules (p < .001). Heterogeneous predominantly hypoechoic thyroid nodules showed a significantly higher malignancy risk than predominantly iso- or hyperechoic thyroid nodules (p < .001). There were no significant differences of malignancy risk between heterogeneous predominantly hypoechoic and homogeneous hypoechoic nodules according to the degree of hypoechogenicity (p ≥ .12) and between heterogeneous predominantly iso- or hyperechoic nodules and homogeneous iso- or hyperechoic thyroid nodules (p = .36). CONCLUSIONS: The malignancy risk of nodule hypoechogenicity is stratified as mild vs. moderate to marked hypoechogenicity, and the malignancy risk of nodules with heterogeneous echotexture is stratified by the predominant echogenicity of the nodules. KEY POINTS: • Thyroid nodule echogenicity is categorized as marked, moderate, or mild hypoechogenicity and iso- or hyperechogenicity with the reference standard of adjacent thyroid tissue and anterior neck muscles. • The malignancy risk of thyroid nodule echogenicity is stratified as iso- or hyperechoic vs. mild vs. moderate or marked hypoechogenicity. • The malignancy risk of nodules with heterogeneous echotexture is stratified by the predominant echogenicity.

False-Positive Measurement at 2-Hydroxyglutarate MR Spectroscopy in Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Wild-Type Glioblastoma: A Multifactorial Analysis.

Background Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation has become one of the most important prognostic biomarkers in glioma management. Measurement of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) with MR spectroscopy has shown high pooled sensitivity, although false-positive results with MR spectroscopy have been reported. Purpose To investigate factors associated with false-positive 2HG measurements at MR spectroscopy in patients with IDH wild-type glioblastoma. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. Consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed pre- and posttreatment glioblastoma were evaluated between December 2017 and August 2018. Spectroscopy parameters, including 2HG measurements, were obtained with single-voxel point-resolved spectroscopy, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated. Necrosis was graded according to the proportion of necrosis within a volume of interest. Poisson regression analyses were performed to determine factors related to false-positive 2HG measurements. Results A total of 82 patients were included (mean age, 55 years ± 12 [standard deviation]; 40 men). The 2HG measurement showed a false-positive rate of 21% (17 of 82; 95% CI: 13%, 31%) in patients with IDH wild-type glioblastoma. Multivariable analysis revealed that necrosis (prevalence ratio [PR], 3.9; 95% CI: 1.6, 9.4; P = .01) and ADC value (PR, 0.1 × 10-3 mm2/sec; 95% CI: [0.0, 0.7] × 10-3 mm2/sec; P = .02) were associated with a greater false-positive rate for the 2HG measurement. Necrosis of more than 20% was associated with a higher rate of false-positive 2HG measurements (50%) than was necrosis of 20% or less (15%, P = .01). The 2HG false-positive rate was higher in patients with pretreatment glioblastoma (46%) than in those with posttreatment glioblastoma (14%, P < .01). Among 17 patients with false-positive findings, 15 (88%; 95% CI: 64%, 99%) had a lactate concentration of 2.0 mmol/L or higher, and 14 (82%, 95% CI: 57%, 96%) had a lactate concentration of 3.0 mmol/L or higher. Conclusion Necrosis and apparent diffusion coefficient were associated with false-positive measurements of 2-hydroxyglutarate at MR spectroscopy in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type glioblastoma. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Similarities and Differences Between Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems.

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this study were to identify the similarities and differences among the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS), American College of Radiology (ACR) TI-RADS, and European TIRADS and to compare the diagnostic performance of sonographic fine-needle aspiration (FNA) criteria for detecting malignant thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study included 2274 consecutively evaluated thyroid nodules 1 cm or larger in 1836 patients with final diagnoses from January 2011 to December 2016. US features of the nodules were retrospectively reviewed and classified according to three published guidelines from international societies. We compared the US lexicons, categories, and diagnostic performance of the FNA criteria for malignant nodules among the three reporting systems. RESULTS. Of the 2274 thyroid nodules, 1974 (86.8%) were benign and 300 (13.2%) were malignant; 93.7% of all malignancies were papillary carcinoma. Most of the US lexicons were similar among the three systems except for the definition of echogenicity of a nodule of mixed echogenicity in European TIRADS. Although the categories had strong correlations (r = 0.777-0.877, all p < 0.001) among the three systems, significant differences were observed in categories 5, 4, and 3 of nodules (all p < 0.001) and in the sensitivity, specificity, and rate of unnecessary FNA of the FNA criteria for malignancy (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION. Although the three systems had similarities in most US lexicons, significant differences were observed in the classified categories and diagnostic performance of the FNA criteria for malignancy.

Different diagnostic values of imaging parameters to predict pseudoprogression in glioblastoma subgroups stratified by MGMT promoter methylation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether diffusion and perfusion imaging parameters demonstrate different diagnostic values for predicting pseudoprogression between glioblastoma subgroups stratified by O6-mythylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status. METHODS: We enrolled seventy-five glioblastoma patients that had presented with enlarged contrast-enhanced lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) one month after completing concurrent chemoradiotherapy and undergoing MGMT promoter methylation testing. The imaging parameters included 10 or 90 % histogram cutoffs of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC10), normalized cerebral blood volume (nCBV90), and initial area under the time signal-intensity curve (IAUC90). The results of the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) with cross-validation were compared between MGMT methylation and unmethylation groups. RESULTS: MR imaging parameters demonstrated a trend toward higher accuracy in the MGMT promoter methylation group than in the unmethylation group (cross-validated AUCs = 0.70-0.95 and 0.56-0.87, respectively). The combination of MGMT methylation status with imaging parameters improved the AUCs from 0.70 to 0.75-0.90 for both readers in comparison with MGMT methylation status alone. The probability of pseudoprogression was highest (95.7 %) when nCBV90 was below 4.02 in the MGMT promoter methylation group. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging parameters could be stronger predictors of pseudoprogression in glioblastoma patients with the methylated MGMT promoter than in patients with the unmethylated MGMT promoter. KEY POINTS: • The glioblastoma subgroup was stratified according to MGMT promoter methylation status. • Diagnostic values of diffusion and perfusion parameters for predicting pseudoprogression were compared. • Imaging parameters showed higher diagnostic accuracy in the MGMT promoter methylation group. • Imaging parameters were independent to MGMT promoter methylation status for predicting pseudoprogression. • Imaging biomarkers might demonstrate different diagnostic values according to MGMT promoter methylation.

Ultrasonographic features of normal parathyroid glands confirmed during thyroid surgery in adult patients.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine the ultrasonography (US) features of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) that were identified on preoperative US and subsequently confirmed during thyroid surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study included a consecutive sample of 161 patients (mean±standard deviation age, 56±14 years; 128 women) with 294 normal PTGs identified on preoperative US PTG mapping and confirmed during thyroidectomy. A presumed normal PTG on US was defined as a small, round to oval, hyperechoic structure in the central neck. These presumed normal PTGs, as identified on preoperative US, were mapped onto thyroid computed tomography images and diagrams of the thyroid gland and neck. During the preoperative real-time US examinations, the location, size, shape, echogenicity, echotexture, and intraglandular vascular flow of the identified presumed PTGs were assessed. These characteristics were compared between superior and inferior PTGs using the generalized estimating equation method. RESULTS: The typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow were observed in 267 (90.8%) normal PTGs, while atypical features, including isoechogenicity (1.0%), heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity (5.8%), and intraglandular vascular flow (3.7%), were noted in 27 (9.2%). Inferior PTGs were more frequently identified in posterolateral (36.1% vs. 5.3%) and thyroid pole locations (29.9% vs. 5.3%), and less frequently in posteromedial locations (29.2% vs. 88.0%), compared to superior PTGs (P<0.001 for each comparison). CONCLUSION: Most normal PTGs displayed the typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow. However, in rare cases, normal PTGs exhibited atypical features, including isoechogenicity, heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity, and intraglandular vascular flow.

US Features of the Parathyroid Glands: An Intraoperative Surgical Specimen Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the US features of the parathyroid glands (PTGs) using surgical specimens of normal PTGs obtained during thyroid surgery. Materials and Methods: This study included 34 normal PTGs from 17 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid surgery between December 2020 and March 2021. All normal PTGs were histologically confirmed by intraoperative frozen-section biopsy for autotransplantation. Surgically resected parathyroid specimens were scanned in sterile normal saline using high-resolution US prior to autotransplantation. The US features of echogenicity (hyperechogenicity or hypoechogenicity), echotexture (homogeneous or heterogeneous), size, and shape (ovoid or round) were retrospectively evaluated. The echogenicity of the three PTGs was compared with that of the thyroid parenchyma of the resected thyroid specimens in two patients. Results: All PTGs showed hyperechogenicity similar to that of gauze soaked in normal saline. Homogeneous hyperechogenicity was observed in 32/34 (94.1%) patients, and the echogenicity of the three PTGs was hyperechoic compared with that of the thyroid parenchyma. The long diameter of the PTGs ranged from 5.1 mm to 9.8 mm (mean, 7.1 mm) and the shape of the PTGs was ovoid in 33/34 (97.1%) patients. Conclusion: The echogenicity of normal PTG specimens was consistently hyperechoic, and the small ovoid homogeneously hyperechoic structure was a characteristic US feature of the PTGs.

Cadherin-catenin complex dissociation in lobular neoplasia of the breast.

E-cadherin (E-CD) inactivation with loss of E-CD-mediated cell adhesion is the hallmark of lesions of the lobular phenotype. E-CD is typically absent by immunohistochemistry in both lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and invasive lobular lesions, suggesting it occurs early in the neoplastic process. In laboratory models, downstream post-transcriptional modifiers such as TWIST and SNAIL contribute to the dissociation of the intracellular component of the cadherin-catenin complex (CCC), resulting in tumor progression and invasion. We hypothesized that complete CCC dissociation may play a role in lobular neoplasia progression. Here we explore the relationship between loss of E-CD and dissociation of the CCC in pure LCIS and LCIS associated with invasive cancer. Fresh-frozen tissues were obtained from 36 patients undergoing mastectomy for pure LCIS (n = 11), LCIS with ILC (n = 18) or LCIS with IDC (n = 7). Individual lesions were subject to laser-capture microdissection and gene-expression analysis (Affymetrix HG-U133A 2.0). Immunohistochemistry for ER,PR,HER2, E-CD,N-CD,α-,ß-, and phosphoß-catenin, TWIST, and SNAIL were evaluated in normal, in situ, and invasive components from matched formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples (n = 36). CCC-dissociation was defined as negative membranous E-CD, α- and ß-catenin expression. E-CD was negative in all LCIS and ILC lesions, and positive in all normal and IDC lesions. Membranous α and ß-catenin expressions decreased with the transition from LCIS to ILC (pure LCIS 82%; LCIS w/ILC 28%; ILC 0%), while TWIST expression increased (pure LCIS low; LCIS w/ILC moderate; ILC high). Gene expression paralleled IHC-staining patterns with a stepwise downregulation of E-CD, α and ß-catenins from normal to LCIS to invasive lesions, and increasing expression of TWIST from normal to LCIS to ILC. Loss of E-CD expression is an early event in lobular neoplasia. Decreasing membranous catenin expression in tandem with increasing levels of TWIST across the spectrum of lobular lesions suggests that CCC dissociation is a progressive process.

Epipericardial Fat Necrosis in a Pediatric Patient Diagnosed Using Contrast-Enhanced MRI Findings: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Epipericardial fat necrosis (EPFN) is a relatively rare cause of acute chest pain, with only five pediatric cases having been reported in the English-language medical literature to date. EPFN can be diagnosed based on the clinical symptoms of acute pleuritic chest pain and classic CT features of typically ovoid fatty lesions surrounded by a rim or capsule in the mediastinal or pericardial areas. Previous studies have reported that contrast-enhanced MRI can detect typical fat signal changes in adults with EPFN. We report a pediatric EPFN case diagnosed using gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Thus, contrast-enhanced MRI may be used to confirm EPFN in the differential diagnoses of the causes of acute chest pain.

Emergency triage of brain computed tomography via anomaly detection with a deep generative model.

Triage is essential for the early diagnosis and reporting of neurologic emergencies. Herein, we report the development of an anomaly detection algorithm (ADA) with a deep generative model trained on brain computed tomography (CT) images of healthy individuals that reprioritizes radiology worklists and provides lesion attention maps for brain CT images with critical findings. In the internal and external validation datasets, the ADA achieved area under the curve values (95% confidence interval) of 0.85 (0.81-0.89) and 0.87 (0.85-0.89), respectively, for detecting emergency cases. In a clinical simulation test of an emergency cohort, the median wait time was significantly shorter post-ADA triage than pre-ADA triage by 294 s (422.5 s [interquartile range, IQR 299] to 70.5 s [IQR 168]), and the median radiology report turnaround time was significantly faster post-ADA triage than pre-ADA triage by 297.5 s (445.0 s [IQR 298] to 88.5 s [IQR 179]) (all p < 0.001).

Ultrasonographic echogenicity of normal salivary glands in adults: comparison of submandibular and parotid glands.

PURPOSE: The normal submandibular gland (SMG) and parotid gland (PG) are thought to have similar homogeneous ultrasound (US) hyperechogenicity; however, this has not been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether the normal SMG and PG have similar US echogenicity. METHODS: We included 969 consecutive adult patients with normal salivary glands. The patients were categorized into three age groups: group 1 (19 to 29 years, n=27), group 2 (30 to 49 years, n=273), and group 3 (≥50 years, n=669). The echogenicities of the SMG and PG were prospectively evaluated by an experienced radiologist. Computed tomography (CT) attenuation in Hounsfield units (HUs) was quantitatively measured for the SMG, PG, and sternocleidomastoid muscle in 140 patients. RESULTS: Relative to the PG, the echogenicity of the SMG was similar in 706 (73.0%) and homogeneously hypoechoic in 263 patients (27.0%). The frequency of SMG hypoechogenicity decreased with increasing age (group 1, 59.3%; group 2, 36.3%; group 3, 22.1%; P<0.001). The CT attenuation levels (in HUs) of the SMG and PG were significantly higher in patients with hypoechoic SMGs than in patients with SMG echogenicity similar to that of the PG (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Hypoechogenicity of the SMG was observed in more than a quarter of this sample of adults with normal salivary glands. The SMG may be inadequate as a reference standard for evaluating thyroid nodule echogenicity in patients with diffuse thyroid disease with decreased echogenicity.

Malignancy risk of thyroid nodules with nonshadowing echogenic foci.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the malignancy risk and diagnostic value of various types of nonshadowing echogenic foci (NEF) in the risk stratification of thyroid nodules. METHODS: A total of 1,018 consecutive thyroid nodules (≥1 cm) with final diagnoses were included. The presence of NEF was determined and types of NEF were classified according to the presence of a comet tail artifact (CTA), location, and size through a prospective evaluation. The associations with malignancy, malignancy risk, and diagnostic value of various types of NEF were assessed. RESULTS: Intrasolid punctate NEF without CTA was the only type of NEF that was an independent predictor of malignancy (P<0.001). The malignancy risk of intrasolid punctate NEF without CTA was substantially higher in solid hypoechoic nodules than in isoechoic or nonsolid nodules (71.3% vs. 9.2%, P<0.001). In solid hypoechoic nodules, slightly increased sensitivity (70.8% vs. 67.9%) for malignancy and a similar malignancy risk (71.4% vs. 71.3%) were observed for intrasolid punctate NEF (with or without CTA) and intrasolid punctate NEF without CTA, respectively. NEF with CTA at the margin of the cystic component was not associated with malignancy or benignity in nonsolid nodules (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Intrasolid punctate NEF without CTA was the only independent predictor of malignancy. However, solid hypoechoic nodules with intrasolid punctate NEF should be classified as high-suspicion nodules regardless of coexisting CTA. Other types of NEF had no added value for detecting malignancy compared to intrasolid punctate NEF without CTA.

Clinical Features and Brain MRI Findings in Korean Patients with AGel Amyloidosis.

PURPOSE: AGel amyloidosis is systemic amyloidosis caused by pathogenic variants in the GSN gene. In this study, we sought to characterize the clinical and brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) features of Korean patients with AGel amyloidosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 13 patients with AGel amyloidosis from three unrelated families. Brain MRIs were performed in eight patients and eight age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Therein, we analyzed gray and white matter content using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS), and FreeSurfer. RESULTS: The median age at examination was 73 (interquartile range: 64-76) years. The median age at onset of cutis laxa was 20 (interquartile range: 15-30) years. All patients over that age of 60 years had dysarthria, cutis laxa, dysphagia, and facial palsy. Two patients in their 30s had only mild cutis laxa. The median age at dysarthria onset was 66 (interquartile range: 63.5-70) years. Ophthalmoparesis was observed in three patients. No patient presented with muscle weakness of the limbs. Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images of the brain showed no significant differences between the patient and control groups. Also, analysis of VBM, TBSS, and FreeSurfer revealed no significant differences in cortical thickness between patients and healthy controls at the corrected significance level. CONCLUSION: Our study outlines the clinical manifestations of prominent bulbar palsy and early-onset cutis laxa in 13 Korean patients with AGel amyloidosis and confirms that AGel amyloidosis mainly affects the peripheral nervous system rather than the central nervous system.

Diagnostic performance of the modified Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System for thyroid malignancy according to nodule size: a comparison with five society guidelines.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the modified Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) compared with five society risk stratification systems (RSSs) according to nodule size. METHODS: In total, 3,826 consecutive thyroid nodules (≥1 cm) with final diagnoses in 3,088 patients were classified according to five RSSs. The K-TIRADS was modified by raising the biopsy size threshold for low-suspicion nodules and subcategorizing intermediate-suspicion nodules. We assessed the performance of the RSSs as triage tests and their diagnostic accuracy according to nodule size (with a threshold of 2 cm). RESULTS: Of all nodules, 3,277 (85.7%) were benign and 549 (14.3%) were malignant. In small thyroid nodules (≤2 cm), the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) had the highest reduction rate of unnecessary biopsies (76.3%) and the lowest sensitivity (76.1%). The modified K-TIRADS had the second highest reduction rate of unnecessary biopsies (67.6%) and sensitivity (86.6%). The modified K-TIRADS and ACR TI-RADS had the highest diagnostic odds ratios (P=0.165) and the highest areas under the curve (P=0.315). In large nodules (>2 cm), the sensitivity of the ACR TI-RADS for malignancy was significantly lower (88.8%) than the sensitivities of the modified K-TIRADS and other RSSs, which were very high (98.7%-99.3%) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The modified K-TIRADS allows a large proportion of unnecessary biopsies to be avoided, while maintaining high sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy for small malignant tumors and very high sensitivity for large malignant tumors.

Malignancy Risk Stratification of Thyroid Nodules with Macrocalcification and Rim Calcification Based on Ultrasound Patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of macrocalcification and rim calcification with malignancy and to stratify the malignancy risk of thyroid nodules with macrocalcification and rim calcification based on ultrasound (US) patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 3603 consecutive nodules (≥ 1 cm) with final diagnoses. The associations of macrocalcification and rim calcification with malignancy and malignancy risk of the nodules were assessed overall and in subgroups based on the US patterns of the nodules. The malignancy risk of the thyroid nodules was categorized as high (> 50%), intermediate (upper-intermediate: > 30%, ≤ 50%; lower-intermediate: > 10%, ≤ 30%), and low (≤ 10%). RESULTS: Macrocalcification was independently associated with malignancy in all nodules and solid hypoechoic (SH) nodules (p < 0.001). Rim calcification was not associated with malignancy in all nodules (p = 0.802); however, it was independently associated with malignancy in partially cystic or isoechoic and hyperechoic (PCIH) nodules (p = 0.010). The malignancy risks of nodules with macrocalcification were classified as upper-intermediate and high in SH nodules, and as low and lower-intermediate in PCIH nodules based on suspicious US features. The malignancy risks of nodules with rim calcification were stratified as low and lower-intermediate based on suspicious US features. CONCLUSION: Macrocalcification increased the malignancy risk in all and SH nodules with or without suspicious US features, with low to high malignancy risks depending on the US patterns. Rim calcification increased the malignancy risk in PCIH nodules, with low and lower-intermediate malignancy risks based on suspicious US features. However, the role of rim calcification in risk stratification of thyroid nodules remains uncertain.

Comparison of the diagnostic performance of the modified Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System for thyroid malignancy with three international guidelines.

PURPOSE: This study compared the diagnostic performance of the modified Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) for thyroid malignancy with three international guidelines. METHODS: From June to September 2015, 5,708 thyroid nodules (≥1.0 cm) in 5,081 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid ultrasound (US) at 26 institutions were evaluated. The US features of the thyroid nodules were retrospectively reviewed and classified according to all four guidelines. In the modified K-TIRADS, the biopsy size threshold was changed to 2.0 cm for K-TIRADS 3 and 1.0 or 1.5 cm for K-TIRADS 4 (K-TIRADS1.0cm and K-TIRADS1.5cm, respectively). We compared the diagnostic performance and unnecessary fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) rates for thyroid malignancy between the modified K-TIRADS and three international guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 5,708 thyroid nodules, 4,597 (80.5%) were benign and 1,111 (19.5%) were malignant. The overall sensitivity was highest for the modified K-TIRADS1.0cm (91.0%), followed by the European (EU)-TIRADS (84.6%), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology/Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AACE/ACE/AME) (80.5%), American College of Radiology (ACR)-TIRADS (76.1%), and modified K-TIRADS1.5cm (76.1%). For large nodules (>2.0 cm), the sensitivity increased to 98.0% in both the modified K-TIRADS1.0cm and K-TIRADS1.5cm. For small nodules (≤2.0 cm), the unnecessary FNAB rate was lowest with the modified K-TIRADS1.5cm (17.6%), followed by the ACR-TIRADS (18.6%), AACE/ACE/AME (19.3%), EU-TIRADS (28.1%), and modified K-TIRADS1.0cm (31.2%). CONCLUSION: The modified K-TIRADS1.5cm can reduce the unnecessary FNAB rate for small nodules (1.0-2.0 cm), while maintaining high sensitivity for detecting malignancies >2.0 cm.

CT features of thyroid nodules with isolated macrocalcifications detected by ultrasonography.

PURPOSE: A thyroid nodule with an isolated macrocalcification is visualized as a calcified nodule with complete posterior shadowing on ultrasonography (US). This study aimed to determine the computed tomography (CT) features of isolated macrocalcifications detected using US. METHODS: This study included 20 patients who had thyroid nodules with isolated macroalcifications and underwent neck CT or chest CT. The patients were enrolled from a sample of 82 patients with isolated macrocalcifications detected by US drawn from 7,142 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid biopsy at two institutions. We evaluated the CT features of nodules with isolated macrocalcifications and categorized them as central or rim calcifications. We assessed the nodule size and the frequency of nondiagnostic fine-needle aspiration (FNA) results and malignant tumors according to the CT features of isolated macrocalcifications. RESULTS: CT scans showed central calcifications in 18 (90.0%) and rim calcifications in two (10.0%) of the 20 nodules with isolated macrocalcifications. Among the 18 nodules with central isolated macrocalcifications, complete compact calcification was found in six nodules and partial coarse calcification in 12 nodules. In 18 nodules with central isolated macrocalcifications, the nondiagnostic FNA rate and frequency of malignant tumors were not significantly different between complete and partial central calcifications (P=0.620 and P=0.999, respectively). Malignant tumors were only found in nodules with central isolated macrocalcifications. CONCLUSION: The majority of nodules with isolated macrocalcifications showed central calcifications on CT. Thyroid nodules with isolated macrocalcifications detected by US should not be classified as having a type of rim or peripheral calcification.

Thyroid Nodules with Isolated Macrocalcifications: Malignancy Risk of Isolated Macrocalcifications and Postoperative Risk Stratification of Malignant Tumors Manifesting as Isolated Macrocalcifications.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the malignancy risk of isolated macrocalcifications (a calcified nodule with complete posterior acoustic shadowing) detected on ultrasonography (US) and to evaluate the postoperative American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification of malignant tumors manifesting as isolated macrocalcifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3852 thyroid nodules (≥ 1 cm) of 3061 consecutive patients who had undergone biopsy between January 2011 and June 2018 were included in this study. We assessed the prevalence, malignancy rate, and size distribution of isolated macrocalcifications and evaluated the histopathologic features and postoperative ATA risk stratification of malignant tumors manifesting as isolated macrocalcifications. RESULTS: Isolated macrocalcifications were found in 38 (1.2%) of the 3061 patients. Final diagnosis was established in 30 (78.9%) nodules; seven malignant tumors were diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). The malignancy rate of the isolated macrocalcifications was 23.3% in the 30 nodules with final diagnoses and 18.4% in all nodules. Among the six surgically-treated malignant tumors, five (83.3%) had an extrathyroidal extension (ETE) (minor ETE 1, gross ETE 4), and two (33.3%) had macroscopic lymph node metastasis. Four (66.7%) malignant tumors were categorized as high-risk tumors, one as an intermediate-risk tumor, and one as a low-risk tumor using the ATA risk stratification. Histopathologically, out of the six malignant tumors, ossifications were noted in four (66.7%) and predominant calcifications in two (33.3%). CONCLUSION: The US pattern of isolated macrocalcifications (≥ 1 cm) showed an intermediate malignancy risk (at least 18.4%). All malignant tumors were PTCs, and most showed an aggressive behavior and a high or intermediate postoperative ATA risk.

Pre-Operative Perfusion Skewness and Kurtosis Are Potential Predictors of Progression-Free Survival after Partial Resection of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pre-operative perfusion skewness and kurtosis derived from normalized cerebral blood volume (nCBV) histograms are associated with progression-free survival (PFS) of patients after partial resection of newly diagnosed glioblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 135 glioblastoma patients who had undergone partial resection of tumor (resection of < 50% of pre-operative tumor volume or surgical biopsy) confirmed with immediate postsurgical MRI and examined with both conventional MRI and dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion MRI before the surgery were retrospectively reviewed in this study. They had been followed up post-surgical chemoradiotherapy for tumor progression. Using histogram analyses of nCBV derived from pre-operative DSC perfusion MRI, patients were sub-classified into the following four groups: positive skewness and leptokurtosis (group 1); positive skewness and platykurtosis (group 2); negative skewness and leptokurtosis (group 3); negative skewness and platykurtosis (group 4). Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were performed to determine whether clinical and imaging covariates were associated with PFS or overall survival (OS) of these patients. RESULTS: According to the Kaplan-Meier method, median PFS of group 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 62, 51, 39, and 41 weeks, respectively, with median OS of 82, 77, 77, and 72 weeks, respectively. In multivariable analyses with Cox proportional hazards regression, pre-operative skewness/kurtosis pattern (hazard ratio: 2.98 to 4.64; p < 0.001), Karnofsky performance scale score (hazard ratio: 1.04; p = 0.003), and post-operative tumor volume (hazard ratio: 1.04; p = 0.02) were independently associated with PFS but not with OS. CONCLUSION: Higher skewness and kurtosis of nCBV histogram before surgery were associated with longer PFS in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma after partial tumor resection.