Sonographic findings of the diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

J Ultrasound Med. 2010 Aug;29(8):1223-6. doi: 10.7863/jum.2010.29.8.1223.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this series was to describe the sonographic findings of the diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary carcinoma (DSVPC) of the thyroid.

Methods: The sonographic findings of 8 patients with DSVPC of the thyroid were retrospectively analyzed. The following sonographic features of DSVPC of the thyroid were analyzed: extent of disease, echogenicity, microcalcifications, and cervical metastatic lymphatic nodes.

Results: Three of 8 cases were unilateral, and 5 were bilateral. All 8 cases showed diffuse involvement of at least 1 entire thyroid lobe. Five of 8 cases showed hyperechogenicity, and 3 showed hypoechogenicity. Seven of 8 cases showed diffuse scattered microcalcifications, and 1 showed locally distributed microcalcifications. All 8 cases showed cervical metastatic lymph nodes.

Conclusions: The sonographic findings of DSVPC of the thyroid are characteristic, and sonography is a useful imaging tool in diagnosis of DSVPC of the thyroid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / complications
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sclerosis / complications
  • Sclerosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / complications
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Young Adult