Proton magnetic resonance and human thyroid neoplasia II: Potential avoidance of surgery for benign follicular neoplasms

Thyroid cancer is rare, but many thyroidectomies continue to be performed simply to exclude a diagnosis of malignancy. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential financial savings associated with the use of proton magnetic resonance analysis of follicular neoplasms. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed on tissue obtained at the time of surgery from 98 consecutive solitary or dominant thyroid nodules. Fine-needle biopsies were also performed on operative specimens, and the tissues assessed by proton magnetic resonance; these spectra were then compared with those obtained from tissue specimens. An estimate of potential savings was obtained by comparing the magnetic resonance data with the indications for surgery and pathology on all patients having thyroidectomy over a 10-year period. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was able to distinguish between normal thyroid tissue and invasive thyroid cancer with 100% specificity. Benign follicular adenomas fall into two groups: 44% having a spectral pattern comparable with normal thyroid, and the remaining 56% demonstrating an altered spectral pattern more comparable to the malignant magnetic resonance profile. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy on fine-needle biopsy specimens produced spectra similar to those from tissues from the same patient. From a fine-needle biopsy specimen, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy can identify a group of benign follicular adenomas with spectral profiles akin to those of normal thyroid cells, thus avoiding the need for unnecessary surgical excision. The potential savings in one surgical unit alone were over $1 million in 10 years.