Feasibility Study of a Contrast-Enhanced Multi-Detector CT (64 Channels) Protocol for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: The Influence of Different Scan Delays on Tumor Conspicuity

摘要

Background: Recently, a number of studies have advocated the diagnostic benefit of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in the current ultrasound (US)-based preoperative evaluation of thyroid cancer. However, no study has been conducted to optimize a CECT protocol focusing on tumor conspicuity using a multi-detector CT scanner. This study aimed at determining the optimal scan delay for increased CT attenuation differences between thyroid cancer and parenchymal background using a biphasic CECT examination.