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Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B 2013 Vol.14 No.3 P.195-206

http://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1200106


Is there a real diagnostic impact of elastosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the management of thyroid nodules?


Author(s):  Massimo Giusti, Davide Orlandi, Giulia Melle, Barbara Massa, Enzo Silvestri, Francesco Minuto, Gianni Turtulici

Affiliation(s):  Endocrine Unit, San Martino University Hospital, Genoa, Italy; more

Corresponding email(s):   magius@unige.it

Key Words:  Thyroid nodules, Cytology, Histology, Ultrasonography, Elastosonography, Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography


Massimo Giusti, Davide Orlandi, Giulia Melle, Barbara Massa, Enzo Silvestri, Francesco Minuto, Gianni Turtulici. Is there a real diagnostic impact of elastosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the management of thyroid nodules?[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B, 2013, 14(3): 195-206.

@article{title="Is there a real diagnostic impact of elastosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the management of thyroid nodules?",
author="Massimo Giusti, Davide Orlandi, Giulia Melle, Barbara Massa, Enzo Silvestri, Francesco Minuto, Gianni Turtulici",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science B",
volume="14",
number="3",
pages="195-206",
year="2013",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/jzus.B1200106"
}

%0 Journal Article
%T Is there a real diagnostic impact of elastosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the management of thyroid nodules?
%A Massimo Giusti
%A Davide Orlandi
%A Giulia Melle
%A Barbara Massa
%A Enzo Silvestri
%A Francesco Minuto
%A Gianni Turtulici
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B
%V 14
%N 3
%P 195-206
%@ 1673-1581
%D 2013
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/jzus.B1200106

TY - JOUR
T1 - Is there a real diagnostic impact of elastosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the management of thyroid nodules?
A1 - Massimo Giusti
A1 - Davide Orlandi
A1 - Giulia Melle
A1 - Barbara Massa
A1 - Enzo Silvestri
A1 - Francesco Minuto
A1 - Gianni Turtulici
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science B
VL - 14
IS - 3
SP - 195
EP - 206
%@ 1673-1581
Y1 - 2013
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/jzus.B1200106


Abstract: 
ultrasonography (US) and the new applications US elastography (USE) and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) are used in the screening of thyroid nodules, for which fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the best single diagnostic test. The aim of the study was to compare the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and accuracy of the four examinations in nodules with cytological and histological diagnoses. The study used data from US, FNAB, USE (elasticity (ELX 2/1) index), and CEUS (Peak index and time to peak (TTP) index) evaluated in 73 thyroid nodules in 63 consecutive patients likely to undergo surgery. Cytological-histological correlation was available for 38 nodules. No correlation emerged between nodule size and cytological results. A significant (P=0.03) positive correlation between cumulative US findings and cytological results was found. In addition, significant correlations between cumulative US findings and cytology (P=0.02) and between cumulative US findings and histology (P<0.0001) were found. US showed the best specificity and PPV, and FNAB the best sensitivity. There was no significant difference in the ELX 2/1 index, Peak index, or TTP index among nodules subdivided according to cytological scores. No significant correlation was found between ELX 2/1 index, Peak index, and TTP index, on the one hand, and nodule size, US cumulative findings, cytology, and histology on the other hand. The sensitivity of the ELX 2/1 index was high, but its specificity was very low. The accuracy and PPV of USE were lower than those of the other procedures. Only the correlation between Peak index and cumulative US findings reached a value close to significance. Our ultimate aim is to minimise unnecessary thyroidectomy. US and FNAB continue to play a central diagnostic role. The use of a US score showed high specificity and PPV. The specificity of FNAB was low in this selected series because of the numbers of indeterminate cytological responses. USE and CEUS are innovative techniques that need to be standardized. The ELX 2/1 index, Peak index, and TTP index seem to be unrelated to histology. The best statistical data on USE and CEUS concerned their sensitivity and PPV, respectively. At present, USE and CEUS are too time-consuming and of limited utility in selecting patients for surgery.

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