Cervical lymph node metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma: CT findings

Abstract

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy which spreads frequently to cervical lymph nodes. We report the CT findings of MTC metastatic cervical adenopathies in two patients with previously resected MTC. The CT scans showed calcifications (one patient) and massive homogeneous postcontrast nodal enhancement. Medullary thyroid carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of entities showing calcifications and intense homogeneous adenopathic enhancement on CT studies.

Unilateral Aplasia of the Submandibular Gland with Multiple Calcified Cervical Lymph Nodes: A Case Report and Review of the Litarutre

“…It was reported that the most common neoplastic cause of nodal calcification in the neck is thyroid tumors [31,32]. However, Gormly and Glastonbury [31] also reported a case of calcified submandibular nodal metastasis resulting from squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, and head -neck squamous cell carcinomas must be considered during differential diagnosis.…”

“…They are mostly associated with benign inflammatory or infectious diseases [26][27][28][29][30]. Less frequently, this condition may be associated with malignant diseases [31,32]. In the head and neck region, the most commonly involved nodes are the submandibular and cervical nodes; when calcified these nodes are generally asymptomatic.…”

Comparison of the diagnostic performance and clinical role of different ultrasound-based thyroid malignancy risk stratification systems for medullary thyroid carcinoma

“…When both macrocalcification and microcalcification existed in a nodule, it was classified as a microcalcification. The abnormal appearance of suspected lymph node metastasis included a round shape, an obscure boundary, heterogeneity with cystic components, loss of normal echogenicity of the central lymphatic hilum, punctate hyperechoic foci, and hypervascularity in the peripheral portion of lymph node ( 16 , 17 ).…”