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18 FDG‐positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning in thyroid nodules with nondiagnostic cytology
Author(s) -
Giovanella Luca,
Suriano Sergio,
Maffioli Marco,
Ceriani Luca
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04005.x
Subject(s) - positron emission tomography , tomography , positron emission tomography computed tomography , computed tomography , medicine , nuclear medicine , thyroid nodules , positron emission , cytology , radiology , thyroid , pathology
Summary Objective To assess the role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans with 18 FDG ( 18 FDG‐PET/CT) in the evaluation of thyroid nodules with nondiagnostic cytology. Subjects and methods Eighty‐eight patients with a single euthyroid nodule and repeatedly nondiagnostic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle cytology (US‐FNC) were enrolled in the present study. Nodules concentrating 18 FDG were considered positive (i.e. suspicious for malignancy). Histological findings were obtained after surgery in all patients. Results None of 41 patients with negative 18 FDG‐PET/CT scan had a final histological diagnosis of malignancy (i.e. no false‐negative results). Twenty‐nine patients with final histological diagnosis of thyroid cancer had positive 18 FDG‐PET/CT scan. Eighteen patients with final histological diagnosis of benign lesions (including four with follicular adenomas) also had positive 18 FDG‐PET/CT scans. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 100%, 69%, 79%, 62% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions A negative 18 FDG‐PET/CT scan accurately excludes malignancy in thyroid nodules with non‐diagnostic US‐FNC procedures. Histology is still necessary to distinguish benign from malignant disease in 18 FDG‐PET/CT‐positive nodules, but unnecessary surgery could have been reduced from 88 to 41 cases (46%) in our series.