Contribution of Focal 1 8 F-FDG Uptake on Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography to Ultrasonography-Based Malignancy Risk Assessment in Incidentally Detected Thyroid Nodules.

The absence of focal FDG uptake on PET/CT was associated with a very low likelihood of malignancy in incidentally detected thyroid nodules.

However, focal FDG uptake should be interpreted in conjunction with ultrasonography-based risk features rather than as an independent decision-making criterion.

Although SUVmax values were higher in malignant FDG-avid nodules, SUVmax did not provide independent or additional diagnostic value beyond ultrasonography-based risk assessment.