[Thyroid nodules with calcification and thyroid carcinoma].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of thyroid calcification for diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 817 thyroid nodules' pre-operative ultrasonic and postoperative pathologic results. RESULTS: Total ultrasonic thyroid calcification ratio was 18.1% (148/817). Total pathologic thyroid calcification ratio was 19.6% (160/817), which in benign samples was lower than that in malignant samples (13.1% vs 53.5%, P < 0.01). Micro-calcification ratio in benign samples was lower than that in malignant samples (2.9% vs 38.6%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid nodules with calcification especially micro-calcification is considered to be the most specific sign of thyroid carcinoma, so the detection of it should be an important diagnostic criterion.