Clinic application of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound mode in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules

Objective To investigate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods From June 2015 to June 2016, 38 patients contained 46 of thyroid nodules underwent routine ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The characteristics of thyroid nodule were timely recorded by routine ultrasound and CEUS, respectively. All thyroid nodules were compared with postoperative histopathological results as the standard of reference. Results The 46 thyroid nodules were confirmed by histopathological examination, among them 30 thyroid nodules demonstrated malignant nodules, and 16 were benign nodules. Three enhancement patterns were depicted by the CEUS, containing low-enhancement, iso-enhancement and hyper-enhancement. The malignant thyroid nodules mainly consisted of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)(28/30), which were demonstrated heterogeneous low-enhancement(23/30) on the CEUS. The benign thyroid nodules mainly consisted of nodular goiter (9/16), which were demonstrated iso-enhancement and hyper-enhancement (14/16) on the CEUS. The results of two groups of nodules were compared, the differences were significant (P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CEUS in the diagnosis of thyroid malignant nodules was 90.0%(27/30), 68.8%(11/16), 82.6%(38/46). Conclusions There is certain difference between benign and malignant thyroid nodules in contrast-enhanced ultrasound. CEUS can be used to make the differential diagnosis malignant thyroid nodules from benign thyroid nodules. Key words: Thyroid nodules; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Enhancement mode