Vascular pattern and spectral parameters of Doppler ultrasound in differentiation between malignant and benign thyroid nodules

BackgroundThyroid nodules are common pathologies detected in thyroid gland. A thyroid nodule is the manifestation of a wide range of thyroid diseases, some benign and others malignant. Currently, the use of imaging methods has increased the diagnosis of asymptomatic nodules. Ultrasound studies of the population have reported a nodular thyroid disease rate of nearly 67% in elderly women. Most of these nodules are benign, and the incidence of malignancy is low (3–7%).PurposeTo evaluate the role of vascular pattern and spectral wave forms and resistivity and pulsatility indices to differentiate between malignant and benign features.Patients and methodsA total of 40 patients who were presented with thyroid nodules scheduled for surgery and preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology were examined in a prospective way. G?ray-scale and c?olor Doppler patterns were used to rank each thyroid nodule on a scale from 0 to 4 as follows: none, solely perinodular, accompanied by per-nodular prominence, accompanied by intranodular prominence, and only intranodular, respectively. Final diagnosis (benign or malignant) was confirmed by pathological correlations.ResultsValue of malignancy in thyroid nodules with a mean resistivity index of 0.72±0.13 is found to be significantly higher than with benignity (0.60.0.08).ConclusionDuplex Doppler parameters are helpful in distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules.