Magnetic resonance imaging in diagnostic algorithm of solitary cold thyroid nodules.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a diagnostic algorithm for thyroid nodules.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Forty-four patients with solitary "cold" thyroid nodules were included in our study. MR images were analyzed visually.

RESULTS

Benign nodules were shown as sharply marginated lesions classified by various signal intensity depending on nodule content. Thyroid carcinomas were shown as isointense or slightly hypointense lesions on T1-weighted images and hyperintense inhomogeneous lesions on T2-weighted images compared to normal thyroid tissue; following contrast, malignancies showed marked enhancement in most of the cases.

CONCLUSION

In a thyroid diagnostic algorithm, conventional procedures such as ultrasound with fine needle aspiration and radionuclide scintigraphy should be performed first. In comparison with computed tomography (CT), MRI is superior because of better spatial resolution and the absence of ionizing radiation. MRI has its place in the staging of thyroid carcinoma and the preoperative assessment of the extent of malignant invasion of surrounding neck structures.