Metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma presenting as a thyroid diffuse involvement: report of a case studied with Q-elastographic and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging features

Tumori. 2013 May-Jun;99(3):e84-7. doi: 10.1177/030089161309900321.

Abstract

Metastatic carcinomas to the thyroid are rare in daily clinical practice. However, when encountered they represent a diagnostic challenge, since it is difficult to distinguish them from primary thyroid lesions, especially when occurring in patients with occult malignant history. Nevertheless, it is critical to differentiate a metastatic tumor from primary thyroid lesions, as the clinical management and the prognosis are different for the two entities. More recently, elastosonography opened new possibilities to ultrasound in different fields, such as thyroid nodule differentiation. Herein, we report a case of metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma to the thyroid studied with quantitative elastography and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / secondary*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thyroid Nodule / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed