Diagnostic value of computed tomography combined with ultrasonography in detecting cervical recurrence in patients with thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND: To determine the diagnostic role of CT added to ultrasound for the diagnosis of recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and to evaluate potential benefits for patients. METHODS: A total of 193 patients with recurrent DTC were retrospectively included. The diagnostic performances of ultrasound and combination of ultrasound and CT (ultrasound/CT) in detecting recurrence were compared. Benefits of CT were assessed based on the presence of any recurrence detected only with additional CT. RESULTS: In detecting cervical recurrence, ultrasound/CT showed higher sensitivity (P = .001) and lower specificity (P < .001) than ultrasound alone, overall resulting in higher area under the curve (P < .001). Seventy-nine patients (40.9%) benefited from additional CT in detecting recurrence. CONCLUSION: For reoperation of cervical recurrence in patients with DTC, addition of CT to ultrasound offers better surgical planning by enhancing detection of recurrent cancers that were overlooked with ultrasound alone.