Table 2.

Comparison between benign and malignant thyroid lesions incidentally detected on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT.*

	Benign (n = 76)	Malignant (n = 23)	P value
Age	54.24 ± 9.79	52.73 ± 10.31	0.527
Sex
Male	12	6	0.354
Female	64	17
Size by US†	1.81 ± 1.08	1.54 ± 0.90	0.289
Mean SUVmax.	3.35	6.64	<0.001
Pattern of FDG uptake
Focal FDG uptake	47	21	0.009
Diffuse FDG uptake	29	2

US; Ultrasonography

SUVmax; Maximum standardized uptake value

FDG; fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

* 99 patients underwent further diagnostic confirmation