Computerized Tomography Based Novel Features in Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging and Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy, which used for diagnosis of thyroid cancer, don't ensure sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Due to this fact, many patients undergo unnecessary thyroid removal. In this study, it is aimed to find new features based on non-invasive Computerized Tomography. 52 nodular goiter patients who underwent thyroid removal surgery with suspicion of cancer were included in the study. Resected fresh thyroid tissues were imaged using Computerized Tomography (CT). In CT images, background and noise estimation as well as elimination were applied. Thyroid images were automatically segmented and modified histograms were calculated. Afterwards, features based on these histograms were calculated and it is proposed that these features can be used to discriminate malignant and benign thyroids. Moreover, as an indirect finding of histograms, it is concluded that thyroidal volume can be a useful criterion in determination of malignancy.