Objective:

To compare the ultrasonic characteristics of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (PTC) and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC).

Methods:

Preoperative ultrasonic images and pathological data of 20 patients with MTC (30 nodules) and 167 patients with PTC (183 nodules ) were retrospectively analyzed. The ultrasonic features of the nodules in the two groups were compared

including pos

ition

number

size

structure

echo

margin

shape

calcification

blood supply and lymph node metastasis of neck.

Results:

Comparing MTC with PTC

there were significant differences between the two groups in the position

size

margin

shape

echo

calcification

blood supply and lymph node metastasis of neck (

P

all＜0.05). MTC lesions were mainly located in the upper middle of thyroid while PTC lesions were mainly located in the middle. MTC nodules were larger than PTC

with smooth edges and rich blood flow signals. MTC nodules were more common in parallel position and PTC nodules were more common in non-parallel position. Large calcifications were common in MTC nodules and punctate hyperechoics were common in PTC nodules. Although the echoes of nodules in both groups were mainly hypoechoin

the echoes of PTC nodulesss were more diverse. Lymph node metastasis of neck was more common in MTC patients than in PTC. There was no significant difference in gender and age between the two groups. The nodules of two groups were mostly single

and the nodule structures in the two groups were mainly solid or almost solid

with no significant difference (

P

all＞0.05).

Conclusion:

Ultrasound features of MTC have certain overlap with PTC

but they also have some own characteristics

which should be carefully identified during ultrasound examination.