Power Doppler sonography of metastatic nodes from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

AIMS: Metastatic nodes on power Doppler sonography tend to demonstrate high intranodal resistance and abnormal distribution of vascularity within a node. However, in our experience metastatic nodes from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid frequently demonstrate low intranodal resistance and some do not demonstrate the presence of any abnormal vascularity within. We were therefore interested to document these features, MATERIALS AND METHODS: The grey scale and power Doppler sonograms of 21 metastatic nodes from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid were evaluated. The intranodal distribution of vessels and the intranodal vascular resistance of vessels was assessed and compared with the reported features of metastatic nodes from other head and neck primaries. RESULTS: A majority (17/20, 85%) of metastatic nodes from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid had a maximum resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) < 0.8 and 1.6, respectively, A majority of the nodes (16/21, 76%) demonstrated abnormal capsular vascularity within the nodes. CONCLUSION: Metastatic nodes from papillary carcinoma on power Doppler sonography frequently have low RI and PI and 24% demonstrate just prominent hilar vascularity similar to reactive nodes. <(c)> 2001 The Royal College of Radiologists.