Detection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma: Computed tomography versus positron emission tomography-computed tomography

Dong Hoon Lee, Won Jun Kang, Hyung Suk Seo, Eunhee Kim, Ji Hoon Kim, Kyu Ri Son, Dong Gyu Na

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is more accurate than CT for detecting metastatic cervical lymph nodes in recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and to determine the relationship between the CT features and PET-CT findings of metastatic nodes. METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients with recurrent PTC underwent contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and PET-CT before surgery. We retrospectively evaluated CECT and PET-CT images to determine the presence of metastatic nodes by level-by-level analysis. The CT findings of the PET-CT results that were positive and negative for metastatic nodes were compared. RESULTS: Metastatic nodes were found at 28 (78%) of 36 neck levels surgically explored. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CECT for the detection of metastatic nodes were 75.0%, 87.5%, and 77.8%, respectively, and those of PET-CT were 35.7%, 87.5%, and 48.6%, respectively, by level-by-level analysis. No significant difference in the CT features was found between the PET-CT findings positive and negative for metastatic nodes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography is more sensitive and accurate than PET-CT for detecting metastatic lymph nodes in recurrent PTC. No significant relationship was found between the CT features and the PET-CT findings of the metastatic nodes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)805-810
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Computer Assisted Tomography
Volume33
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CT
  • Lymph node metastasis
  • PET-CT
  • Papillary thyroid cancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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