Small round thyroid microcalcifications are referred to as what?

Small round thyroid microcalcifications are referred to as what?

• A. Psammoma bodies
• B. Calcified nodules
• C. Papillary calcifications
• D. Microcysts

Answer: (A)

Small round thyroid microcalcifications are psammoma bodies. These are tiny, concentric calcified spheres found in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Histologically they arise from degenerating tumor cells that calcify over time, and their presence strongly points to papillary thyroid cancer. On ultrasound they correspond to tiny punctate echogenic foci without posterior shadowing, which is the classic sign associated with malignant papillary lesions. Other terms like calcified nodules or microcysts aren’t the standard histologic description for these tiny calcific foci, and the label psammoma bodies specifically captures their characteristic appearance and association.

Small round thyroid microcalcifications are psammoma bodies. These are tiny, concentric calcified spheres found in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Histologically they arise from degenerating tumor cells that calcify over time, and their presence strongly points to papillary thyroid cancer. On ultrasound they correspond to tiny punctate echogenic foci without posterior shadowing, which is the classic sign associated with malignant papillary lesions. Other terms like calcified nodules or microcysts aren’t the standard histologic description for these tiny calcific foci, and the label psammoma bodies specifically captures their characteristic appearance and association.