Ultrasonography.  2018 Apr;37(2):157-163. 10.14366/usg.17045.

Pathologic basis of the sonographic differences between thyroid cancer and noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features

• Yang GC
• Fried KO

• KMID: 2409567
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14366/usg.17045

Abstract

Ultrasonography is pivotal in triage thyroid biopsy in the era after the identification of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). This pictorial essay illustrates the pathologic basis of the sonographic features that distinguish NIFTP from thyroid cancers. In this study, we present the correlations of ultrasonography to ×1 histopathology to assess shape and margin characteristics. Markedly hypoechoic nodules correlate to microfollicular/solid nodules, while isoechoic/hyperechoic thyroid nodules correlate to normofollicular/macrofollicular nodules. The ultrasound findings of NIFTP and minimally invasive encapsulated thyroid cancers are similar. Both are well-circumscribed, oval-to-round nodules with regular margins. Blurred or microlobulated margins indicate infiltrating tumors, while lobulated margins are characteristic of expansile tumors. Overtly invasive encapsulated tumors are characterized by oval-to-round nodules with irregular or lobulated margins. The ultrasound findings for infiltrative thyroid cancers show at least one of the following malignant features: marked hypoechoicity, taller-than-wide shape, microcalcifications, and blurred or microlobulated margins.

Keyword

Thyroid neoplasms; Thyroid ultrasound; Thyroid biopsy; Thyroid histopathology; Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology; Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma; Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Neoplasms*
Thyroid Nodule
Triage
Ultrasonography*