The role of proton MR spectroscopy and apparent diffusion coefficient values in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules: preliminary results.

Purpose: Performance of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules.

Method: In a retrospective study with malignant nodules of 14 patients, H-MRS and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) were performed. Choline (Cho) peak, Cho/creatine (Cr) ratio, and ADC values of malignant nodules were correlated with the five benign nodules and four normal-appearing thyroid lobe parenchymata. The gold standard reference was fine needle aspiration biopsy and histopathology.

Results: At echo time 40-144-ms acquisitions, average Cho/Cr ratio for the malignant nodules was 2.95±1.54-5.30±2.38, cutoff values were >0.805 and >1.225, and ADC values were 0.06±0.02.

Conclusion: H-MRS acquisitions, DWI, and ADC mapping give diagnostic data about the nature of the nodules.