• TIRADS classification allows accurate selection of thyroid nodules requiring biopsy (TIRADS 4-5). • The recognition of benign/possibly benign patterns can avoid unnecessary procedures. • This classification and its sonographic patterns are validated using surgical specimens.

Background Prevertebral calcific tendinitis results from calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposits in the longus colli muscles, which induce symptoms similar to some surgically-treated conditions, such as retropharyngeal abscesses. Imaging techniques are critical for accurate diagnosis. Purpose To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings associated with prevertebral calcific tendinitis. Material and Methods Retrospective analysis performed in an 18-month period, searching for patients with neck CT and reports with diagnosis of “calcific longus collis tendinitis” or “prevertebral calcific tendinitis”. CT images and clinical data available in the medical records were analyzed. Results One hundred and thirty-four examinations were performed in the period studied. Nine patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were identified and their CT imaging characteristics are presented. Six presented with calcific deposits in the right longus colli muscle. CT matched the clinical pain lateralization in all cases. Eight patients had no significant enhancement post injection of contrast media. Conclusion Prevertebral calcific tendinitis is a cause of acute cervical pain that clinically mimics a retropharyngeal abscess, however on neck CT has a characteristic appearance. Correct identification of this pathologic condition will help avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures.

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PurposeThe aim of this study was to study interreader agreement of the RSNA-STR-ACR (Radiological Society of North America/Society of Thoracic Radiology/American College of Radiology) consensus statement on reporting chest computed tomography (CT) findings related to COVID-19 on a sample of consecutive patients confirmed with reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.Materials and MethodsThis institutional review board–approved retrospective study included 240 cases with a mean age of 47.6 ± 15.9 years, ranging from 20 to 90 years, who had a chest CT and RT-PCR performed. Computed tomography images were independently analyzed by 2 thoracic radiologists to identify patterns defined by the RSNA-STR-ACR consensus statement, and concordance was determined with weighted κ tests. Also, CT findings and CT severity scores were tabulated and compared.ResultsOf the 240 cases, 118 had findings on CT. The most frequent on the RT-PCR–positive group were areas of ground-glass opacities (80.5%), crazy-paving pattern (32.2%), and rounded pseudonodular ground-glass opacities (22.9%). Regarding the CT patterns, the most frequent in the RT-PCR–positive group was typical in 75.9%, followed by negative in 17.1%. The interreader agreement was 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.96) in this group. The CT severity score had a mean difference of −0.07 (95% confidence interval, −0.48 to 0.34) among the readers, showing no significant differences regarding visual estimation.ConclusionsThe RSNA-STR-ACR consensus statement on reporting chest CT patterns for COVID-19 presents a high interreader agreement, with the typical pattern being more frequently associated with RT-PCR–positive examinations.

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