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??Central lymph node dissection for non-incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: 10 years’ experience WANG Zhuo-ying?? SUN Tuan-qi?? WU Yi?? et al. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC);Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Corresponding author: GUAN Qing, E-mail: monique.gq@hotmail.com
Abstract Objective To assess the role of central lymph node dissection (CLND) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Methods This study included 1048 consecutive PTMC patients who underwent CLND from 2000 to 2009. The data of the incidence of central compartment metastasis, the diagnostic accuracy through ultrasound and intraoperative inspection, the follow-up and the incidence of complication were collected and analyzed. Results The incidence of central compartment metastasis was 38.5%. The status of central compartment metastasis was correlated with major clinicopathologic parameters such as sex, age, multifocal lesions, and the tumor size. The sensitivities, specificities and diagnostic accuracies were 32.2%, 77.1%, 59.8% for the combination of ultrasound and intraoperative inspection, respectively. With a median follow-up of 46.5 months, the metastasis rate was 1.9% (20). Conclusion Considering there was a relatively high rate of central lymph node metastasis, also the sensitivity of preoperative US or intraoperative inspection was not good enough to determine the surgical extent, we suggest that CLND needed to be done even in the low-risk PTMC patients.     

Advantages of positron emission tomography over computed tomography in mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: New treatment algorithms in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involving preoperative chemotherapy require accurate clinical staging of the mediastinum. This study compares the accuracy of 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with that of computed tomography (CT) scanning in the clinical staging of non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 52 patients with NSCLC who were evaluated with both CT and PET scans. All patients had their mediastinal lymph nodes sampled by mediastinoscopy or at the time of thoracotomy for pulmonary resection. Each imaging study was evaluated separately and correlated with histopathologic results. RESULTS: For detecting mediastinal metastases the sensitivities of PET and CT scans were 67 and 50%, respectively; specificities were 91 and 65%, respectively; accuracies were 88 and 63%, respectively; positive predictive values were 50 and 16%, respectively; negative predictive values were 95 and 88%, respectively. PET scans were significantly better than CT scans at detecting mediastinal metastases (PET, 4/8; CT, 3/19) (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PET scanning is superior to CT scanning for clinical staging of the mediastinum in NSCLC. A more confident decision regarding stratification of patients into current treatment algorithms can be made when the decision is based on PET scanning rather than the current "gold standard" of CT scanning.     

Efficacy of computed tomography in the diagnosis of pancreatic injury in adult blunt trauma patients: a single-institutional study

Blunt trauma to the pancreas is an uncommon injury, which can be difficult to diagnose. Most studies are multi-institutional, include both helical and axial CT, and report sensitivities of 40 to 67 per cent. We evaluated the efficacy of spiral CT for the diagnosis of blunt pancreatic injury in a single large-volume institution. We retrospectively reviewed 22,000 blunt trauma patients seen between 1996 and 2000. Pancreatic injury was identified in 40 patients (0.2%). All patients evaluated with spiral CT were given both oral and intravenous contrast. A total of 40 blunt pancreatic injuries were identified. The mean age was 35 years. Seventy-five per cent were male. Mean Injury Severity Scale score was 29 and overall mortality 12.5 per cent. Thirty-one patients (78%) underwent laparotomy. Twelve patients went directly to the operating room for urgent exploration and 19 had a preoperative CT. CT was positive for pancreatic injury in 13 patients (sensitivity 68%). All 13 patients had confirmed pancreatic injury at the time of surgery (positive predictive value = 100%). Using the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grading system operative findings and CT correlated in 68 per cent of those patients who had both CT and laparotomy. CT underestimated pancreatic injury in the remaining 31 per cent. Nine patients were managed nonoperatively without complication, and six had pancreatic injury on CT. The other three had a negative CT but had clinical and laboratory evidence of pancreatic injury. Overall CT scan was 68 per cent (19 of 28) accurate in diagnosing pancreatic injury. We conclude that CT scan is only moderately sensitive and can underestimate or miss pancreatic injury. Although CT moderately correlated with injury grade it was highly predictive for presence of injury. The new multidetector helical scanner may improve our diagnostic ability.     

肩关节前方盂唇损伤的MRI和MR关节造影诊断

目的:探讨MRI和MR关节造影在肩关节前方盂唇损伤中的诊断价值,评估MR关节造影在鉴别肩关节前方盂唇不同类型损伤中的作用。方法:自2007年1月至2010年12月,对经肩关节MRI、MR关节造影诊断后进行关节镜手术治疗的153例肩部损伤患者的临床资料进行了回顾性分析。由1位骨骼肌肉系统影像学医生和1位运动医学医生共同阅片,得出一致的MRI和MR关节造影诊断,并与关节镜下结果进行比较。计算MRI和MR关节造影诊断肩关节前方盂唇损伤的敏感性、特异性和准确性。在MR关节造影下存在前方盂唇损伤的患者中,对其不同类型损伤进行分型,与关节镜下分型进行对比研究。结果:153例中,肩关节前方盂唇损伤78例,肩袖损伤67例,上盂唇从前到后(superior labrum anterior to posterior,SLAP)损伤8例,MRI和MR关节造影诊断肩关节前方盂唇损伤的灵敏度分别为80.8%和92.3%,特异度分别为89.3%和97.3%,准确度分别为85.0%和94.8%。78例关节镜下存在肩关节前方盂唇损伤的患者中,Bankart损伤39例,前方盂唇骨膜袖套样撕脱(ALPSA)损伤32例,Perthes损伤7例,MR关节造影正确诊断Bankart、ALPSA和Perthes损伤的灵敏度分别为84.6%、84.4%和57.1%。结论:MR关节造影较MRI诊断肩关节前方盂唇损伤的灵敏度、特异度和准确度更高,MR关节造影能在术前进一步明确盂唇损伤的类型,为确定术前计划提供依据。     

Treatment of Indinavir sulfate induced urolithiasis in HIV-positive patients

Objectives.To determine the necessity of pelvic computed tomography (CT) in patients of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Materials and methods. We reviewed the records of 400 patients of RCC, who underwent treatment at our institution between January 1988 and February 2001. These patients were evaluated pre-operatively with ultrasonograms (USG) and contrast enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. USG or CT scans of these cases were reviewed for presence of pathology in the pelvis, which were classified into 3 categories viz; benign and likely to be insignificant, benign and likely to be significant; and malignant.Results. Of the 400 cases, 114 were stage I, 68 were stage II, 99 were stage III and 119 were stage IV. In all patients, tumour was identified in the kidney on preoperative CT scan. Fourteen patients (3.5%) had an abnormality on pelvic CT. Five (1.25%) had category 1, three (0.75%) had category 2 and six (1.5%) had category 3 abnormality on pelvic CT. However, all these abnormalities in pelvis were detected prior to CT by other investigations (USG or plain x-ray). Of the six cases with malignant findings, two had superficial bladder cancer, one had RCC in a pelvic kidney and three had bone metastases in the pelvis. Conclusions. Pelvic CT doesnot offer additional information in the vast majority of cases with RCC and should be performed selectively. Thus the cost of diagnostic imaging in RCC can be reduced.     

A New Imaging Technique for the Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer: Thyroidography

Abstract

Background: Microcalcifications are the most important diagnostic parameter for thyroid cancer. We developed a new imaging technique based on low dose X-rays that specifically reveal microcalcifications via a new software algorithm. Method: A prospective clinical trial was planned and 45 cases (37 women, 8 men, women/men: 4.6, age range: 17–68, mean age: 43) were included in the study. After total thyroidectomy with standard technique, the fresh thyroid tissues were integrated into the human neck simulator. Raw (DICOM) images were obtained for each tissue sample with a standard mammography device and transformed into new images (thyroidograms) by a new software algorithm. Preoperative ultrasonography (USG) images, DICOM images, and thyroidograms were evaluated in order to observe micro and macrocalcifications by the same experienced radiologist. Results: Twenty-four cases were malignant and 21 cases were benign after histopathologic evaluation. Microcalcification detection with the thyroidography was statistically significant for sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy (p?<?0.05) but not for specificity (p?>?0.05) compared to the USG and DICOM images for the malignant and also benign cases. Conclusion: This new imaging technique is hopeful for diagnosis of thyroid cancer according to microcalcification detection and may complement thyroid USG.     

Comparison of preoperative whole-body positron emission tomography with MDCT in patients with primary colorectal cancer

Objective  Preoperative use of emission tomography with¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) in patients with primary colorectal cancer remains controversial. This study evaluated the additional value of FDG-PET in comparison with routine multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) in patients with primary colorectal cancer.
Method  Retrospective analysis was performed in 65 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent whole-body FDG-PET. Results of FDG-PET were compared with routine preoperative evaluation by MDCT regarding detection of primary tumour, lymph node involvement and distant metastases. All images were evaluated before surgery.
Results  Tumour detection rate was 100% (63/63) for MDCT and 98% (62/63) for FDG-PET. Lymph node involvement was pathologically confirmed in 35 patients. MDCT and FDG-PET displayed sensitivities of 89% (31/35; 95% CI: 73–97%) and 43% (15/35; 95% CI: 26–61%) and specificities of 52% (11/21; 95% CI: 30–74%) and 95% (20/21; 95% CI: 76–100%), respectively. Liver metastases were present in 22 patients. MDCT and FDG-PET showed accuracies of 98% (64/65; 95% CI: 92–100%) and 97% (63/65; 95% CI: 89–100%), respectively. FDG-PET detected additional extrahepatic metastatic lesions and affected treatment plan compared with MDCT in 10 patients.
Conclusion  Preoperative FDG-PET is not superior to MDCT for detection of primary tumour, lymph node involvement or liver metastases, but may have potential clinical value in patients with advanced colorectal cancer by detecting extrahepatic distant metastases.     

Radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging in severely injured trauma patients

BACKGROUND: Trauma patients often require multiple imaging tests, including computed tomography (CT) scans. CT scanning, however, is associated with high-radiation doses. The purpose of this study was to measure the radiation doses trauma patients receive from diagnostic imaging. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted from June 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005 at a Level I trauma center in Toronto, Canada. All trauma patients who arrived directly from the scene of injury and who survived to discharge were included. Three dosimeters were placed on each patient (neck, chest, and groin) before radiologic examination. Dosimeters were removed before discharge. Surface doses in millisieverts (mSv) at the neck, chest, and groin were measured. Total effective dose, thyroid, breast, and red bone marrow organ doses were then calculated. RESULTS: Trauma patients received a mean effective dose of 22.7 mSv. The standard "linear no threshold" (LNT) model used to extrapolate from effects observed at higher dose levels suggests that this would result in approximately 190 additional cancer deaths in a population of 100,000 individuals so exposed. In addition, the thyroid received a mean dose of 58.5 mSv. Therefore, 4.4 additional fatal thyroid cancers would be expected per 100,000 persons. In all, 22% of all patients had a thyroid dose of over 100 mSv (mean, 156.3 mSv), meaning 11.7 additional fatal thyroid cancers per 100,000 persons would result in this subgroup. CONCLUSION: Trauma patients are exposed to significant radiation doses from diagnostic imaging, resulting in a small but measurable excess cancer risk. This small individual risk may become a greater public health issue as more CT examinations are performed. Unnecessary CT scans should be avoided.     

How accurate is 68Gallium-prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography / computed tomography (68Ga-PSMA PET/CT) on primary lymph node staging before radical prostatectomy in intermediate and high risk prostate cancer? A study of patient- and lymph node- based analyses

Background and aimGallium-68 (68Ga)-Prostate Membrane Specific Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (68Ga-PSMA PET/CT) is an emerging diagnostic modality which is gaining importance in individualized prostate cancer (PCa) management era. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT on primary LN staging before radical prostatectomy (RP) in intermediate and high risk PCa.Materials and MethodsThe retrospectively documented 49 patients with intermediate and high risk non-metastatic PCa who had ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT before RP were enrolled into this study. The histopathology of dissected LNs was used as reference standard to evaluate the accuracy of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT on primary LN staging, both in per-patient (n = 49) and in per-node (n = 454) analyses. The diagnostic accuracy was investigated using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), and by area under the curve (AUC) provided using receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis.ResultsMedian age was 64 (48-79) years and, median and mean PSA values were 10 (1.31–138) ng/ml and 16.2 (±19.8) ng/ml, respectively. 22 (44.9%) and 27 (55.1%) of patients had intermediate and high risk PCa, respectively. A total of 5 (10.2%) patients had histopathologically proven LN metastasis and 3 (60%) of them was detected in ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT. In per patient analysis, the sensitivity, specifity, PPV and NPV of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT on primary LN staging were 0.60, 0.96, 0.60 and 0.96, respectively. Among overall 454 LNs, 16 (3.5 %) of them were reported as metastatic in histopathology and, 13 (2.9%) of these metastatic LNs were detected in ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT. In per-node analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT on primary LN staging were 0.82, 0.99, 0.87 and 0.99, respectively. The ROC analyses found AUCs for primary LN staging as 0.777 (95%CI:0.508–1.0) in per patient analysis and, as 0.904 (95%CI:0.790 – 1.0) in per node analysis, respectively.ConclusionThe use of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT has promising diagnostic accuracy on primary LN staging before RP in intermediate and high risk PCa. However, the efforts should be taken to increase sensitivity of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT in individualized treatment era.     

A prospective evaluation of preoperative localization by technetium-99m sestamibi scintigraphy and ultrasonography in primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography (USG) and technetium-99m sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy are commonly used imaging modalities in the era of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). However, their relative importance and actual contribution to MIP have not been prospectively assessed. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive pHPT patients planning for MIP were recruited. Both USG and MIBI findings were correlated with intraoperative findings and postoperative outcome. Clinicopathologic factors were examined for potential association with a correct localizing result. RESULTS: Thirty men and 70 women (age range 13 to 93 years [median 55.5]) were included in the study. The final pathology included 98 patients with solitary adenoma and 2 patients with multiglandular disease. The sensitivities, accuracies, and positive predicted values for USG and MIBI alone were 57% vs 89%, 56% vs 85%, and 97% vs 94%, respectively. Correctly localized adenomas were significantly heavier than incorrectly localized ones. CONCLUSIONS: MIBI is preferred over USG in pHPT patients planning for MIP. Weight of adenoma appeared to be the only clinicopathologic factor determining localization accuracy.     

The Value of Modern Ultrasonographic Techniques and Computed Tomography in Detecting and Staging of Pancreatic Carcinoma

Objective : to assess the clinical value of ultrasonographic methods and computed tomography in diagnosing and staging pancreatic carcinoma.

Methods : prospective clinical trial of 140 patients (64 women and 77 men; mean age 59,6) operated on for pancreatic carcinoma between 2000 and 2004. In each case helical CT, routine-, color-and power Doppler and 3-D USG were performed to detect and stage cancer. Analyses of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of ultrasonographic methods and CT were made.

Results : 3-D USG showed the best accuracy of local staging (T): 95.6%. CT was the most accurate in lymph node assessment: 91.3%. The accuracy of CT, 3-D USG and power-Doppler at detecting vascular infiltration was 93.1%. Conclusions : diagnostic accuracy of modern ultrasound techniques is comparable to helical CT in detecting and staging pancreatic carcinoma. USG is recommended due to the relatively low cost, non-invasiveness and availability of the procedure.     

^18FDG—PET在肺癌诊断中的价值

目的研究氟脱氯葡萄糖F18-正电子发射计算机电子扫描(18FDG-PET)在鉴别肺部肿块性质和肺癌术前纵隔淋巴结转移分期中的应用价值.方法对34例肺部肿块患者进行18FDG-PET和CT检查,PET资料分别采用目测法和计算标准化摄取值(SUV)的半定量法进行分析,并同病理结果对照.结果目测法18FDG-PET诊断肺部肿块性质的敏感度、准确度分别是93%、85%;CT分别为63%、53%,2种方法差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05);半定量法准确度为74%,与CT相比,差异也有显著性意义(P＜0.05).肺部恶性肿块的SUV是4.4±1.9,良性为2.2±1.7,2者差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05).18FDG-PET和CT2种检查方法术前对纵隔淋巴结转移的分期与病理结果符合率分别为100%和78%,2者差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05).结论同CT相比,18FDG-PET能更准确地鉴别肺部肿块性质及确定纵隔淋巴结转移分期,是一种较好的无创性肺癌诊断技术.     

The relevance of preoperative ultrasound cervical mapping in patients with thyroid cancer

Background

Cervical lymph node involvement in thyroid cancer is associated with locoregional recurrence and decreased disease-free survival. Preoperative lymph node mapping helps in planning surgery for neck dissection and improves patient outcomes. We sought to perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of ultrasound mapping for thyroid cancer and evaluate the clinical importance of this exam in terms of identifying the group of patients who would benefit most from subsequent surgical dissection.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 263 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between 2009 and 2013. We calculated the positive predictive values (PPVs) of ultrasound mapping of both the lateral and central compartments together and the lateral or central compartment individually. A quantitative analysis was performed by comparing the number of positive lymph nodes at ultrasound imaging with histopathologic evaluation.

Results

A total of 136 cases of thyroid cancer in 120 patients met the inclusion criteria for ultrasound mapping analysis. The PPVs (and 95% confidence intervals) were 83.82 (0.76–0.89) for the lateral and central compartments, 85.39% (0.76–0.91) for the lateral compartment, and 80.48% (0.7–0.87) for the central compartment. When comparing the positive lymph nodes at ultrasound imaging with histopathologic evaluation, the result was χ² = 10.33 (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

This single-institution study indicated that preoperative ultrasound mapping is an accurate imaging procedure for predicting lymphatic spread in differentiated and medullary thyroid cancer. Ultrasound mapping can be used as an efficient tool for surgical planning and prognosis determination, as well as for identifying the group of patients who would benefit most from subsequent surgical intervention.     

Limited value of positron emission tomography in treatment of pancreatic cancer: surgeon's view

We aimed to assess, from a surgical point of view, the value of positron emission tomography (PET) in the routine preoperative diagnostic evaluation of a pancreatic mass. In particular, we were interested in PET's ability to distinguish a malignancy from a nonmalignant process and its impact on surgical decision making. We documented prospectively the results of preoperative ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and PET in terms of a correct diagnosis of malignancy in 103 patients. All patients underwent surgery at our department and had a complete histologic workup. We then related the preoperative findings to the intraoperative and histologic findings and analyzed the advantages and limitations of PET in comparison with conventional diagnostic techniques. Both CT and PET showed high sensitivities (82% and 84%, respectively) but rather low specificities (61%). ERCP showed good specificity at 83% but weak sensitivity at 46%. The positive predictive value was higher than 80% for all methods, whereas the negative predictive value was around 60% at best. Both the CT and the PET diagnoses were wrong in 15% of the cases. In all cases with a false CT diagnosis, the results of the other conventional examinations provided sufficient evidence to indicate the need for surgical intervention. In all cases where PET gave misleading results, CT findings indicated the need for surgery. PET overlooked pT1 cancers in three of the patients. PET does not reliably prove or exclude malignancy in situations where conventional diagnostic procedures leave doubt as to the nature of a pancreatic mass. PET does introduce a new procedure-related spectrum of misinterpretations to the diagnostic process.     

Randomized prospective evaluation of frozen-section analysis for follicular neoplasms of the thyroid

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical utility of frozen section in patients with follicular neoplasms of the thyroid in a randomized prospective trial. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The finding of a follicular neoplasm on fine-needle aspiration prompts many surgeons to perform intraoperative frozen section during thyroid lobectomy. However, the focal distribution of key diagnostic features of malignancy contributes to a high rate of noninformative frozen sections. METHODS: The series comprised 68 consecutive patients with a solitary thyroid nodule in whom fine-needle aspiration showed a follicular neoplasm. Patients were excluded for bilateral or nodal disease, extrathyroidal extension, or a definitive fine-needle aspiration diagnosis. Final pathologic findings were compared with frozen sections, and cost analyses were performed. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-nine were randomized to the frozen-section group and 32 to the non-frozen-section group. In the non-frozen-section group, one patient was excluded when gross examination of the specimen was suggestive of malignancy and a directed frozen section was diagnostic of follicular carcinoma. Frozen-section analysis rendered a definitive diagnosis of malignancy in 1 of 29 (3.4%) patients, who then underwent a one-stage total thyroidectomy. In the remaining 28 patients, frozen section showed a "follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasm." Permanent histology demonstrated well-differentiated thyroid cancer in 6 of these 28 patients (21%). Of the 31 patients in the non-frozen-section group, 3 (10%) showed well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma on permanent histology. Complications were limited to one transient unilateral vocal cord dysfunction. All but one patient had a 1-day hospital stay. There were no significant differences between the groups in surgical time or total hospital charges; however, the charge per informative frozen section was approximately $12,470. CONCLUSIONS: For the vast majority of patients (96.4%) with follicular neoplasms of the thyroid, frozen section is neither informative nor cost-effective.     

Use of Diagnostic Categories in Urinary Cytology in Comparison with the Bladder Tumour Antigen (BTA) Test in Bladder Cancer Patients

In recent years the use of diagnostic categories for extragenital cytology has increasingly been discussed as an approach to improve the quality of reports. Diagnostic categories reflect the adequacy of the materials for interpretation and the presence or absence of cancer cells. There is a tendency to add intermediate groups as qualifying probably malignant cases or findings associated with a serious cancer risk. Since 1971 we have added one of the following to the final diagnosis in all cases: unsatisfactory for cytological diagnosis, negative for cancer, repeat test suggested, suspicious of cancer, and positive for cancer. To evaluate whether diagnostic categories are useful for comparison of cytological results with those of an alternative test, cytological data were compared with the results of the Bard bladder tumour antigen (BTA) test in voided urine from 119 patients (76 with and 43 without bladder cancer). The diagnostic categories enabled us to calculate sensitivities and specificities of cytology based on different thresholds or decision levels. The BTA test had significantly higher sensitivity (79%) and lower specificity (60%) than urinary cytology with three different thresholds in cytology results (sensitivities: 16–43%, specificities: 81–100%). The present findings suggest that diagnostic categories improve comparison of cytologic results with those of alternative screening and diagnostic aids such as the BTA test.     

Role Of Ultrasonography in Predicting Malignancy in Patients with Thyroid Nodules

The use of ultrasonography (USG) has become an essential part of endocrine surgical practice. We evaluated the value of USG in predicting malignancy of thyroid nodules. The accuracy of USG in 857 patients who underwent fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with or without surgery was analyzed in a prospective setting. The diagnostic accuracy of USG was compared to that of FNA and of combined models in 153 operated patients. The malignancy-predicting value of USG in follicular neoplasms and its relation to nodule size were also investigated. Sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy (OA) of USG were 84.9%, 95.5%, and 93.7%, respectively. In operated patients, USG had accuracy comparable to that of FNA and combined models (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 90.6%, OA 92.0%) regardless of nodule size but showed a significant rate of indeterminate results (29.4%). For follicular neoplasms, the sensitivity, specificity, and OA of USG were 100%, 95.4%, and 96.1%, respectively, with indeterminate results for three malignant nodules (42.8%). This acceptable malignancy-predicting value of USG in thyroid nodules supports the potential role of USG for predicting malignancy in selected patients with thyroid nodules. However, the high rate of indeterminate results precludes it from being a standard independent diagnostic method for the present time. Part of this paper is presented as a poster at the 88th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, June 24–27, Boston, MA, USA.     

Correlations of neck ultrasound and pathology in cervical lymph node of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Background: High-resolution sonography is becoming a method of choice for the detection and diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The purpose of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of neck ultrasound (US) in the detection of lymph node metastases from PTC.

Methods: Data for all patients with papillary thyroid cancers and preoperative neck US were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnostic accuracy of US was determined according to whether histologically confirmed cancer was present in surgical cervical lymph node specimens.

Results: A total of 206 patients (149 central and 57 central and lateral lymph nodes dissection) were included. Their mean age was 56 years (14–88 years). Central and lateral lymph nodes were involved in 68% (n?=?141 patients; 141/206) and 60% (n?=?34 patients; 34/57) of cases, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of US in predicting papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) metastasis in the central neck were 69%, 71%, 84% and 51% respectively, and in the lateral neck were 85%, 65%, 78% and 75% respectively.

Conclusions: Preoperative neck US is a valuable tool in the detection of cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid cancer and can provide reliable information to assist in surgical management.     

Prospective comparison of radionuclide, computed tomographic, sonographic, and magnetic resonance localization of parathyroid tumors

The appropriate choice of imaging techniques to localize parathyroid tumors preoperatively remains controversial. We report the first prospective, blinded study to compare the efficacy of four imaging modalities in 100 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Patients were examined by computer-assisted thallium 201/technetium 99m subtraction scintigraphy (TTS), computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US), and magnetic resonance (MR). Each study was performed and interpreted independently. Subsequent neck exploration and "curative" parathyroidectomy allowed correlation of surgical findings with imaging reports to score their accuracy. Overall sensitivities of the four imaging modalities were TTS, 73%, CT, 68%, US, 55%; and MR, 57%; with respective specificities of 94%, 92%, 95%, and 87%. Sensitivities for lesions located below the thyroid gland (thymic tongue and mediastinum) were TTS, 90%; CT, 46%; US, 44%; and MR, 50%; with respective specificities of 100%, 99%, 100%, and 94%. There was a significant increase in overall sensitivity when TTS and CT (90%, p less than 0.01) or TTS and US (85%, p less than 0.05) were used together; however, the combination of any three or even four imaging modalities did not increase sensitivity further. For small parathyroid tumors (less than or equal to 250 mg), no imaging technique had a sensitivity of more than 50%. None of the imaging studies accurately localized small hyperplastic parathyroid glands found in patients with multiple gland disease. Preoperative parathyroid imaging may not be indicated in pHPT patients undergoing first-time neck exploration because surgeons experienced in parathyroid surgery have a 93% to 96% cure rate.     

Value of Ultrasonography and Helical Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Stone-Free Patients after Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (USG and Helical CT after SWL)

Aim: To define the value of different radiologic modalities in determining the patients who believed to be stone-free after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) with plain abdominal X-ray, by evaluating the same patients with ultrasonography (USG) and helical computed tomography (CT). Patients and methods: Between March 2002 and February 2003, 76 patients with urolithiazis who were treated with SWL and considered to be stone-free with plain abdominal X-ray, were evaluated with USG and helical CT. The results were compared for the accuracy of the stone-free diagnosis. Results: Residual stones were detected in 9 (11.8%) with USG and in 17 (22.3%) with CT of 76 patients who were thought to be stone-free with plain abdominal X-ray alone. Conclusions: Although plain abdominal X-ray has been accepted as the first line diagnostic tool in the follow-up after SWL with its cheap and practical use, helical CT was found to be more valuable in diagnosis of residual stone fragments which has not been found in plain abdominal X-ray. If we take these considerations which can change our clinical approach and patient follow-up into account, we believe that the routine use of helical CT can give more accurate information in patient controls after SWL.