BACKGROUND: To determine the various sonographic findings in a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 48 patients with a proven papillary carcinoma of the thyroid were involved. The sonographic features analyzed were the size, shape, content, margin, internal echo, and calcification pattern.
RESULTS: Common sonographic features of a papillary carcinoma include the hypoechoic texture (94%), an ill defined margin (81%), a solid nodule (100%), irregular shape (48%), and microcalcifications (35%), or no calcifications (42%). The uncommon features included a hyperechoic or mixed echo texture, cystic elements, a well defined margin, and a coarse or peripheral calcifications.
CONCLUSION: Ill-defined hypoechoic solid nodule with microcalcification is a characteristic ultrasonographic finding of a thyroid papillary carcinoma.
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