Diffusion-weighted images differentiate benign from malignant thyroid nodules.

Purpose: To reveal the possible role of diffusion-weighted images (DWI) in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules by comparing the results of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

Materials And Methods: In an 18-month period (December 2005 to May 2007), 27 cases with benign thyroid nodules with a total of 52 benign nodules, nine cases with thyroid gland malignancy, and 24 healthy control cases were included in the study. Cases that were indicated to undergo to FNAC examination and sent by a clinician for biopsy to the radiology unit were included in the study to assess the cytopathologic confirmation of the clinic, ultrasonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.