A case of mixed-pattern calcifications in multinodular goiter associated with a benign diagnosis

D Bianchi; U Morandi; A Stefani; B Aramini

doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.05.061

A case of mixed-pattern calcifications in multinodular goiter associated with a benign diagnosis

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2019:60:46-48. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.05.061. Epub 2019 Jun 8.

Authors

D Bianchi¹, U Morandi², A Stefani³, B Aramini⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via Largo del Pozzo n. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy. Electronic address: Danb9106@gmail.com.
² Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via Largo del Pozzo n. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy. Electronic address: uliano.morandi@unimore.it.
³ Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via Largo del Pozzo n. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy. Electronic address: alessandro.stefani@unimore.it.
⁴ Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via Largo del Pozzo n. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy. Electronic address: beatrice.aramini@unimore.it.

Abstract

Background: Calcified nodules are often found in a goiter when performing an ultrasound of the neck. An analysis of different calcification patterns could contribute to discriminating between nodules with a lower malignancy risk and those with a higher malignancy risk. In certain cases, the results of a simple cytological analysis of a nodule are not specific enough to be completely trusted.

Case presentation: We present the case of a goiter with a mixed calcification pattern, including a type of calcification that is strongly associated with a malignant diagnosis, for which a completely benign diagnosis was determined.

Conclusion: We believe that further studies examining a combination of ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) scan presentations of thyroid nodules need to be performed.

Keywords: Benign lesion; Calcifications; Calcified nodules; Endoscopic ultrasound; Malignant nodules.