<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The aim of the study was to investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Thirty-five patients with morphologically proved thyroid nodules (17 malignant; 18 benign), underwent CEUS examination. Five enhancement patterns were evaluated: vascularisation, homogeneity, presence of peripheral rim type enhancement, wash-out rate of the contrast medium, and enhancement using microvascular imaging application. Time-intensity curves (TIC) were analysed in post-processing and defined as three types: slow versus rapid and stable versus rapid biphasic wash-out. Diagnostic value of the listed CEUS parameters was calculated. The results showed medium strength correlation between morphology (benign versus malignant nodule) and type of TIC curve r<italic>s</italic> = 0.38 (<italic>p</italic> = 0.021), as well as between mode of contrast enhancement r<italic>s</italic> = 0.39 (<italic>p</italic> = 0.022) and wash-out pattern r<italic>s</italic> =0.39 (p = 0.024). The overall pooled sensitivity of selected diagnostic parameters was 82%, specificity 57%, and accuracy 70%. Malignant nodules were characterised by iso- or hypovascular contrast enhancement and slow wash-out, while benign nodules showed hypervascular enhancement with rapid wash-out TIC curve and rim-like pattern. The CEUS patterns significantly differed between malignant and benign thyroid nodules with high diagnostic accuracy. Thus, CEUS has important clinical value as an additional tool to ultrasound and fine needle biopsy.</abstract>

The aim of the study was to investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Thirty-five patients with morphologically proved thyroid nodules (17 malignant; 18 benign), underwent CEUS examination. Five enhancement patterns were evaluated: vascularisation, homogeneity, presence of peripheral rim type enhancement, wash-out rate of the contrast medium, and enhancement using microvascular imaging application. Time-intensity curves (TIC) were analysed in post-processing and defined as three types: slow versus rapid and stable versus rapid biphasic wash-out. Diagnostic value of the listed CEUS parameters was calculated. The results showed medium strength correlation between morphology (benign versus malignant nodule) and type of TIC curve rs = 0.38 (p = 0.021), as well as between mode of contrast enhancement rs = 0.39 (p = 0.022) and wash-out pattern rs =0.39 (p = 0.024). The overall pooled sensitivity of selected diagnostic parameters was 82%, specificity 57%, and accuracy 70%. Malignant nodules were characterised by iso- or hypovascular contrast enhancement and slow wash-out, while benign nodules showed hypervascular enhancement with rapid wash-out TIC curve and rim-like pattern. The CEUS patterns significantly differed between malignant and benign thyroid nodules with high diagnostic accuracy. Thus, CEUS has important clinical value as an additional tool to ultrasound and fine needle biopsy.

Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Evaluation of Malignant and Benign Solitary Thyroid Nodules

Department of Radiology, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema iela 16, Rīga, LV-1007, LATVIA

Department of Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema iela 16, Rīga, LV-1007, LATVIA

Department of Surgery, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema iela 16, Rīga, LV-1007, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The aim of the study was to investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules....

Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Evaluation of Malignant and Benign Solitary Thyroid Nodules

Published Online: Apr 04, 2016

Page range: 1 - 6

Received: Jul 23, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/prolas-2016-0001

Keywords
contrast-enhanced ultrasound, thyroid nodules

© 2016 Pēteris Priedītis et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Evaluation of Malignant and Benign Solitary Thyroid Nodules

Published Online: Apr 04, 2016

Page range: 1 - 6

Received: Jul 23, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/prolas-2016-0001

Keywordscontrast-enhanced ultrasound, thyroid nodules

© 2016 Pēteris Priedītis et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
contrast-enhanced ultrasound, thyroid nodules