Association of sonographically detected calcification with thyroid carcinoma

The detection of calcification on ultrasonography should increase the clinical index of suspicion for thyroid carcinoma and alert the physician. FSP calcification is valuable and has a very high specificity for predicting thyroid carcinoma, particularly for those younger than 45 years old or with calcified regional lymph nodes. To increase the sensitivity for the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma, tests such as fine-needle aspiration cytology should also be performed. The use of these modalities could result in earlier detection of thyroid carcinoma. The use of ultrasound to detect calcification and FSP calcification is as efficient as thyroid papillary macrocarcinoma in predicting microcarcinoma.