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.