Sonographic Findings of the Diffuse Sclerosing Variant of Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid

Objective. The purpose of this series was to describe the sonographic findings of the diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary carcinoma (DSVPC) of the thyroid. Methods. The sonographic findings of 8 patients with DSVPC of the thyroid were retrospectively analyzed. The following sonographic features of DSVPC of the thyroid were analyzed: extent of disease, echogenicity, microcalcifications, and cervical metastatic lymphatic nodes. Results. Three of 8 cases were unilateral, and 5 were bilateral. All 8 cases showed diffuse involvement of at least 1 entire thyroid lobe. Five of 8 cases showed hyperechogenicity, and 3 showed hypoechogenicity. Seven of 8 cases showed diffuse scattered microcalcifications, and 1 showed locally distributed microcalcifications. All 8 cases showed cervical metastatic lymph nodes. Conclusions. The sonographic findings of DSVPC of the thyroid are characteristic, and sonography is a useful imaging tool in diagnosis of DSVPC of the thyroid.