Ahmed Abdel Razek, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ahmed Galal, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Osama Rabeah, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tarek Elmahdy, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nadia Nada, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess solitary thyroid nodule with diffusion weighted echo-planar MR imaging.

Prospective study was conducted on 67 consecutive patients with solitary thyroid nodule underwent diffusion MR imaging of the thyroid gland. Diffusion weighted MR images were acquired with factor of 0, 250 and 500 sec/mm2 using single shot echo planar imaging. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were reconstructed. The ADC values of the solitary thyroid nodules were calculated and correlated with the results of histopathological examination. Statistical analysis was done.

Adequate ADC maps of the thyroid gland were obtained in 63 patients. The mean ADC value of malignant solitary thyroid nodules was 0.73±0.19 x 10-3 mm2/sec and of benign nodules was 1.8±0.27 x 10-3 mm2/sec. The mean ADC values of the malignant nodules were significantly lower than those of benign ones (P=0.0001). There were no significant differences between the mean ADC values of malignant thyroid nodule but there was significant difference within benign thyroid nodules (p=0.0001). An ADC value of 0.98 x 10-3 mm2/sec was proved as a cut-off value differentiating between benign and malignant nodules, with 97.5%, 91.7% and 98.9% (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy respectively).

We concluded that apparent diffusion coefficient map is a new promising non-invasive imaging modality that can be used for prediction of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodules.

Diffusion weighted echplanar MR imaging can be used for differentiation malignant from benign solitary thyroid nodule.

Abdel Razek, A, Galal, A, Rabeah, O, Elmahdy, T, Nada, N, Solitary Thyroid Nodule: Assessment with Diffusion-weighted Echo Planar MR Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5000222.html