The value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the differential diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma and nodular goiter

Purpose: To explore the differentiating diagnostic value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (IVIM-DWI) in the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma and thyroid nodular goiter. Methods: Thirty-two patients with thirty-nine thyroid nodules, underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination including IVIM-DWI sequencing before their operations. Differences in standard apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC(S)), slow apparent diffusion coefficient (D), fast apparent diffusion coefficient (D*) and fraction of fast apparent diffusion coefficient (f) values between the thyroid carcinoma group and nodular goiter group were compared. Parameters such as receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, diagnostic thresholds and diagnostic performance were obtained. Results: The values of ADC(S) and D in the thyroid carcinoma group were distinctly smaller than those in the nodular goiter group. The value of D* from the thyroid carcinoma group was higher than that from the nodular goiter group, but the value of f was lower than that of the nodular goiter group, although not significantly. In the differentiation of the thyroid carcinoma group from the nodular goiter group, the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and threshold values were 0.825, 100%, 57.9%, and 1.31x10(-3) mm(2)/s respectively for ADC(S) and 0.849, 95%, 63.2%, and 0.856 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s for D. Conclusion: ADC(S) and D were valuable for differentiating between thyroid carcinoma and nodular goiter.