Diagnostic value of real-time ultrasound elastography in thyroid solid nodules

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of real-time ultrasound elastography in thyroid solid nodules.Methods A retrospective analysis of 123thyroid nodules were confirmed by operation and pathology,whose characteristics of conventional ultrasound imaging and real-time ultrasound elastography imaging were analyzed retrospectively.Results Eighty-four solid nodules had final diagnoses of benign nodules based on histopathological examination,while 39solid nodules were diagnosed as malignant ones.Compared with benign thyroid nodules,illdefined margins,irregular shape,anteroposterior/transverse diameter more than 1cm,microcations and Elasticity gradeⅢ or Ⅳ were highly predictive of malignant nodules(P 0.01).In real-time ultrasound elastography results,80nodules(95.2%)were grade 0-Ⅱ of all benign nodules,and 37nodules(94.9%)were grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ of all malignant nodules.There were statistical difference in elasticity grade(χ2=98.583,P 0.01).Elasticity grade Ⅲor Ⅳ was highly predictive of malignancy(χ2=91.319,P 0.01),with the sensitivity of 94.9%,specificity 95.2%,accuracy of95.1%.Conclusion Real-time ultrasound elastography has higher value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid solid nodules.