Can Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging Be Used as a Tool to Predict Extrathyroidal Extension in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma?

Rationale and ObjectivesTo evaluate whether quantitative diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) with multi-b values can be used as a tool to predict the aggressiveness by using histological feature of extrathyroidal extension (ETE) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Materials Methods238 patients were pathologically confirmed PTCs underwent preoperative value DWI (300, 500, 800 s/mm2) between January 2015 December 2017. The divided into three groups according degree ETE: without ETE, minimal extensive ETE. apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) evaluated for different b (b = 300 s/mm2, 500 s/mm2). ADC ETE compared. diagnostic relevance terms predicting was compared receiver operating characteristic analysis. Differences areas under curves (AUCs) Delong test.ResultsPTCs had significantly lower ADC300, ADC500 ADC800 than (p 0.001, p < respectively). AUC mean (0.905) higher that ADC300 (0.607 0.770, respectively) differentiating from 0.001). cut-off discriminate determined at 1.407 × 10−3 mm2/s, sensitivity 80.7%, specificity 86.7%, an 0.905.ConclusionThe demonstrated effective evaluating PTC. In particular, s/mm2 showed best performance noninvasive evaluation To (PTC). 238 test. 0.905.