Time-intensity curve’s applications of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the thyroid nodules

Objective To explore the value of each parameter from time-intensity curve in the thyroid nodules using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS).Methods 118thyroid nodules from 99patients were examined using CEUS before operation.The findings of CEUS of thyroid nodules were analyzed by Qontrast software.All of the thyroid nodules were divided into two categories according to pathology,thyroid malignant nodules(101cases,including thyroid papillary carcinoma in 100cases and medullary carcinoma of thyroid in 1case)and thyroid benign nodules(17cases,including nodular goiter in 16cases and thyroid adenoma in 1case).PEAK(peak intensity),TTP(Time-To-Peak),RBV(regional blood volume),RBF(regional blood flow)and MTT(mean transit time)of thyroid nodules and the adjacent thyroid parenchyma were acquired automatically.The quantitative analysis findings of CEUS of each nodule(including benign and malignancy)and their adjacent thyroid parenchyma were compared adopting analysis of variance.Results There were significant differences in PEAK,TTP and RBF between thyroid malignant nodules and the adjacent thyroid parenchyma,where as there were no significant differences in PEAK,TTP and RBF between thyroid malignant nodules and thyroid benign nodules and between thyroid benign nodules and the adjacent thyroid parenchyma,In addition,the values of RBV and MTT were no significant difference among each groups(P0.05).Conclusion CEUS combined time-intensity curve can provide efficient and supplementary information to differentiate benign from malignant thyroid nodules.