Abstract
Contrast enhanced computed tomogram (CT) images of thyroid tumors were analyzed to determine if the heterogeneity could be quantified by a fractal dimension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contrast enhanced CT images were obtained after the injection of iodipamide ethyl ester, a vascular marker, into the patient. Nine CT images of the thyroid tumors taken between 1994 and 1995 were used to trace the enhanced inner patterns of the tumors with a pencil allowing calculation of the fractal dimension using the box counting method and the straight line fit method. RESURT. All traced inner figures of the tumors met the requirements for a fractal analysis because all patterns showed self-similarities. The mean fractal dimensions were significantly different between benign and malignant thyoid tumors. CONCLUSIONS. Fractal dimension measurement provides a new means to examine the enhanced inner images of thyoid tumors using the box counting method in contrast enhanced computed tomograms. This may prove useful in understanding and quantifying the pathophysiologic changes in thyoid tumors.
