T1 mapping and reduced field-of-view DWI at 3.0 T MRI for differentiation of thyroid papillary carcinoma from nodular goiter.

Background: Reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted imaging (rFOV-DWI) could be proved to quantitatively identify papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and there is no literature regarding the use of T1 mapping to distinguish nodular goiter (NG) from PTC.

Purpose: To compare T1 mapping with rFOV-DWI in differentiating NG and PTC.

Study Type: Prospective study.

Populations: Ninety-five hospitalized patients with thyroid nodules were included in the research.

Sequence: All subjects underwent T1-weighted imaging, T2-weighted imaging, rFOV-DWI and T1-mapping sequences.

Assessment: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T1 values of each thyroid nodule were measured, respectively. According to pathological results, the thyroid nodules were divided into two groups: Group 1 (NG) and Group 2 (PTC).

Statistical Tests: An independent sample t test was used to evaluate the differences of ADC and T1 between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of T1, ADC, Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and T1 and ADC.

Results: The T1 and ADC values of nodular goiter were both higher than those of PTC (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) values of T1 and ADC were significantly higher than that of T1 or ADC alone (p < 0.05). The AUC value of T1 and ADC was as same as that of TI-RADS.

Conclusion: The combination of T1 mapping and rFOV-DWI could effectively differentiate NG from PTC. And it has at least the same diagnostic value as the ultrasound-based TI-RADS classification.