Title:Thyroid Ultrasound and Other Imaging Procedures in the Pediatric Age
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Author(s): Federica Guidoccio, Mariano Grosso, Federica Orsini, Giuseppe Boni, Giuliano Mariani and Duccio Volterrani
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Thyroid Ultrasound, Thyroid carcinoma in pediatric patients, PET/CT in DTC, MRI, CT.
Abstract: The purpose of this review is to provide a reappraisal of the diagnostic imaging
procedures for thyroid carcinoma in pediatric patients, including thyroid ultrasound
(US), ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), scintigraphy, radiological
techniques (CT, MR), and PET/CT. The most frequent indication for thyroid imaging is
characterization of a palpable mass in the neck or thyroid gland. Thyroid US is a first-line
examination for visualizing the thyroid gland as it provides anatomic and perfusion information;
on the other hand, scintigraphy mostly provides functional information but
combined with some anatomic information as well. CT and MRI have a supplemental
role in these patients. Furthermore, with the introduction of PET/CT and the development
of new imaging agents, nuclear medicine plays an important role in different phases of
neoplastic disease in terms of both staging and evaluation of response to medical/surgical
treatments.
