Real Time Ultrasound Elastography for the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of real-time ultrasound elastography (RUE) in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules, with fine needle aspiration cytology analysis as the reference standard. A total of 78 consecutive patients with thyroid nodules who were selected for fine needle aspiration biopsies were examined in this prospective study. 78 nodules in these patients were examined by conventional ultrasound, and ultrasound elastography. The final diagnosis was obtained from cytological findings. Tissue stiffness on ultrasound elastography was scored from 1 (low stiffness over the entire nodule) to 5 (high stiffness over the entire nodule and surrounding tissue). On real-time ultrasound elastography, 47 of 62 benign nodules (76%) had a score of 1 or 2, whereas 15 of 16 malignant nodules had a score of 3 to 5, with sensitivity of 93.7%, specificity of 90%, a positive predictive value of 71%, and a negative predictive value of 98%. Real-time ultrasound elastography is a promising imaging technique that is useful in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Utilization of ultrasound elastography could reduce the rate of thyroid biopsies because of its high elasticity being highly associated with benign cytology.

Differential value of shear wave velocity(SWV)in nodules quantitatively determined by ARFI for benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Objective: To study the differential value of shear wave velocity (SWV) in nodules quantitatively determined by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) for benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with thyroid nodules in the People's Hospital of Hai'an County between June 2014 and February 2017 were selected and divided into those with benign thyroid nodules and malignant thyroid nodules according to the biopsy results. Before biopsy, the ARFI ultrasonic elastography was performed to measure SWV, and the biopsy tissue was collected after biopsy to determine the expression of proliferation molecules and invasion molecules. Results: The SWV of malignant thyroid nodules was significantly higher than that of benign thyroid nodules;P53, CyclinG2, E-cadherin, TIMP1 and TIMP3 mRNA expression in malignant thyroid nodules were significantly lower than those in benign thyroid nodules while FOXA1, Survivin, XIAP, Twist and Vimentin mRNA expression were significantly higher than those in benign thyroid nodules;P53, CyclinG2, E-cadherin, TIMP1 and TIMP3 mRNA expression in malignant thyroid nodules with high SWV were significantly lower than those in malignant thyroid nodules with low SWV while FOXA1, Survivin, XIAP, Twist and Vimentin mRNA expression were significantly higher than those in malignant thyroid nodules with low SWV. Conclusion: The SWV of malignant thyroid nodules significantly increases and is closely related to the abnormal proliferation and invasion of cancer cells.

Pathological and Clinical Correlation European Union-Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) Classification of Thyroid Nodules in Two University Hospitals in Cotonou

Introduction: Since its creation in 2017 by the European community, the EU-TIRADS classification has enjoyed an excellent reputation in several countries around the world. Indeed, several studies conducted in these countries testify to the effectiveness of this tool for the management of nodular thyroid pathology. However, in Benin, the contribution of this classification has not yet been evaluated. It is therefore to overcome this inadequacy that we undertook this study. Objective: Participate in improving the diagnostic and therapeutic management of thyroid nodules at the CNHU HKM in Cotonou and at the CHUZ in Suru-Léré. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection spread over a period of 3 years 5 months, from January 2019 to May 2022 and carried out jointly in the Endocrinology Metabolism Nutrition and ORL-CCF departments of the CNHU HKM of Cotonou and in the ORL-CCF department of the CHUZ of Suru-Léré. The study population consisted of patients who consulted the University Clinic of Endocrinology Metabolism Nutrition, the University Clinic of ORL-CCF of the CNHU-HKM and the University Clinic of ORL-CCF of the CHUZ of Suru-Léré for thyroid nodule and who have had surgery. The study data was collected from patients hospitalization records using a survey form. Results: On ultrasound, according to the EU-TIRADS classification, 56.8% of nodules presented a low risk of malignancy (EU-TIRADS 3) compared to respectively 19.8%;23% and 2.5% of nodules with zero (EU-TIRADS 2), intermediate (EU-TIRADS 4) and high (EU-TIRADS 5) risk of malignancy. Regarding the performance of this classification, it is sensitive in 37.5% of cases and has a specificity of 78.5% with a PPV (Positive Predictive Value) and a NPV (Negative Predictive Value) respectively of 6.6 % and 91.6%. Furthermore, the bivariate correlations revealed that the size of the nodule was significantly associated with the malignancy of the nodule (p = 0.014) and the calculated value of the Yule’s Q coefficient (0.375) reflects a moderate intensity of the connection between the EU-TIRADS and histology. Conclusion: the EU-TIRADS classification, due to its excellent NPV, is of great interest for the management of thyroid nodules at the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou and at the CHUZ of Suru-Léré. In view of this, particular emphasis must be placed on its regular and rigorous use.

Clinical study of preoperative fT4/fT3 quotient and thyroid function test in distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules

Objective:To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of thyroid nodules and to explore the related risk factors of malignant thyroid nodules.Methods: According to the criteria of inclusion and exclusion, a total of 283 patients with thyroid nodules during January 2015 and December 2017 were divided into benign group (benign nodule,n =172) and malignant group (malignant nodule,n = 111) based on postoperative histopathological results. The age, sex, serum thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free three iodine thyroxine (fT3) and fT4/ fT3 ratio were subjected to univariate analysis, and the risk factors of malignant thyroid nodule were screened by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:Univariate analysis showed that age, TgAb, fT4 (P < 0.05) and fT4/ fT3 quotient (P < 0.01) were significantly different between the two groups. The fT4/fT3 quotient is a risk factor of malignant nodules. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk factors of malignant thyroid nodule were age (0R: 0.934,95% CI:0.911-0.957), TgAb(0R: 2.069,95% CI: 1.008-4.247) and fT4 (0R: 1.206,95% CI: 1.038-1.401).Conclusion: The fT4/fT3 quotient has important diagnostic value in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. When fT4 / fT3 > 3, it increases the risk of malignancy. The age, TgAb and fT4 are independent risk factors for malignant thyroid nodule, which is of great value in distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules.

Difference in microvascular structure between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules and its relationship with CT enhancement

Objective： To investigate the enhancement basis and the mechanisms of solitary pulmonary nodules （SPNs） by comparing the differences in microvascular structure between benign and malignant lesions. Methods： Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT scan was performed on 53 patients with SPNs （diameter〈3 cm, 38 peripheral lung cancers, 5 hamartomas, 10 inflammatory lesions） using a Siemens Plus S or a Marconi MX8000 multi slices spiral CT scanner. The time-attenuation curves were interpreted. The microvascular density （MVD） and the continuity of the microvessels＇ basemental membrane in the dissected specimens were observed with the ABC （avldin-biotin complex） immuno-histochemical method in all patients. Results ：The CT enhancement values of lung cancer （49.05± 16.08 HU） and inflammatory lesions （49.59±21.30 HU） were significantly higher than those of hamartoma （8.98±4.56 HU） t=7.48, P〈0.051 t=8.35, P〈0.05）. But the enhancement of lung cancer was similar to that of inflammatory lesions （t=0.76, P±0. 05）. The time attenuation curve of inflammatory lesions tended to increase faster and reached a higher peak compared to the lung cancer, and both of them maintained a high plateau after crossing. The hamartoma showed a slight increase in the time-attenuation curve and demonstrated a lowplateau curve. The MVD of SPNs was positively correlated with CT enhancement （r=0. 8051）. The microvascular counts of peripheral lung cancer （48.45±10. 09） and inflammatory lesions （49. 60±19. 94） were significantly higher than those of hamartoma （8.70±7. 30） （t=11. 64, P〈0.001, t=6. 09, P〈0. 001 ）, but no significant difference was found between lung cancer and inflammatory lesions （t= -0.26, P=0.799）. There was no difference in the continuity of basement membrane between nodules with anen haneement less than 30 HU and those with an enhancement higher than 30HU （X^2=3. 13, P〉0.05 ）. Conclusion： The microvascular counts mainly contribute to the enhancement value of SPNs. The basement membrane is not related to nodule enhancement, but it might influence the pattern of the time-attenuation curve.

Correlation of the ultrasonic elastography strain rate of malignant thyroid nodules with the expression of oncogenes and angiogenesis genes

Objective: To study the correlation of the ultrasonic elastography strain rate of malignant thyroid nodules with the expression of oncogenes and angiogenesis genes. Methods: Patients with thyroid nodules who underwent ultrasonography in this hospital between March 2015 and February 2017 were selected, and the tissue properties were judged according to the results of fine needle aspiration biopsy;ultrasonic elastography was done to measure the strain rate ratio, and the fluorescence quantitative PCR reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression of oncogenes and angiogenesis genes. Results: The strain rate ratio of malignant thyroid nodules was greatly lower than that of benign thyroid nodules;CCNG and RASSF1A mRNA expression in malignant thyroid nodules were greatly lower than those in benign thyroid nodules whereas FF3, TPX2, WIP1, Ang2, Tie2, VEGF, VEGFR1, c-met and Survivin mRNA expression were greatly higher than those in benign thyroid nodules;CCNG and RASSF1A mRNA expression in malignant thyroid nodules with low strain rate ratio were greatly lower than those in malignant thyroid nodules with high strain rate ratio whereas FF3, TPX2, WIP1, Ang2, Tie2, VEGF, VEGFR1, c-met and Survivin mRNA expression were higher than those in malignant thyroid nodules with high strain rate ratio. Conclusion: The increase in ultrasonic elastography strain rate ratio of malignant thyroid nodules is closely related to the changes in the expression of oncogenes and angiogenesis genes.

Correlation of the ultrasonic elastography strain rate of malignant thyroid nodules with the expression of oncogenes and angiogenesis genes

Objective: To study the correlation of the ultrasonic elastography strain rate of malignant thyroid nodules with the expression of oncogenes and angiogenesis genes. Methods: Patients with thyroid nodules who underwent ultrasonography in this hospital between March 2015 and February 2017 were selected, and the tissue properties were judged according to the results of fine needle aspiration biopsy;ultrasonic elastography was done to measure the strain rate ratio, and the fluorescence quantitative PCR reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression of oncogenes and angiogenesis genes. Results: The strain rate ratio of malignant thyroid nodules was greatly lower than that of benign thyroid nodules;CCNG and RASSF1A mRNA expression in malignant thyroid nodules were greatly lower than those in benign thyroid nodules whereas FF3, TPX2, WIP1, Ang2, Tie2, VEGF, VEGFR1, c-met and Survivin mRNA expression were greatly higher than those in benign thyroid nodules;CCNG and RASSF1A mRNA expression in malignant thyroid nodules with low strain rate ratio were greatly lower than those in malignant thyroid nodules with high strain rate ratio whereas FF3, TPX2, WIP1, Ang2, Tie2, VEGF, VEGFR1, c-met and Survivin mRNA expression were higher than those in malignant thyroid nodules with high strain rate ratio. Conclusion: The increase in ultrasonic elastography strain rate ratio of malignant thyroid nodules is closely related to the changes in the expression of oncogenes and angiogenesis genes.

Perithyroidal hemorrhage caused by hydrodissection during radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Hydrodissection is a widely used technique during radiofrequency ablation(RFA)for benign thyroid nodules.Although it could effectively avoid thermal injury to the surrounding critical structures and achieve complete treatment,routine operation of the remaining needle could cause perithyroidal hemorrhage.In this report,we present 2 cases of perithyroidal hemorrhage during RFA caused by a hydrodissection needle,which have not been reported before.CASE SUMMARY A 21-year-old female and a 45-year-old male were admitted for RFA for benign thyroid nodules.Considering that their nodules were adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve,the needle used for hydrodissection was placed and remained between the dorsal capsule of the lateral lobe and the recurrent laryngeal nerve.During the procedure,active bleeding near the needle appeared on ultrasonography(US).Although moderate pressure was quickly applied to the neck for several minutes,contrast-enhanced US(CEUS)still showed an active hemorrhage.A radiofrequency electrode was placed at the bleeding point under the guidance of CEUS to stop the bleeding,and the procedure was finally confirmed to be successful by CEUS,without other complications.CONCLUSION Hydrodissection during RFA of benign thyroid nodules was associated with a risk of perithyroidal hemorrhage.The timely recognition of this acute hemorrhage could help in the timely control of the bleeding,and CEUS-guided ablation of the bleeding point could be useful.

The Diagnostic Value of Color Doppler Ultrasound and Grey Scale Sonography in Predicting the Malignancy of Thyroid Nodules

Retrospective study was done at KAUH to determine the sonographic characteristics in predicting the malignancy of thyroid nodules. The sample was 120 patients consisting of 70 benign nodules and 50 malignant nodules. Out of 120 patients, 106 (88.3%) female and 14 (11.7%) male patients. Out of 106 female patients, 64 (91.45) had benign and 42 had malignant thyroid nodules. Out of 14 (11.7) male patients, 6 had benign and 8 had malignant thyroid nodules. The youngest patient in our study was 31 years and the oldest patient was 76 years. The common range of patients age was ≥ 60 years and consisting of twenty (28.6%) benign thyroid nodules and fourteen (28%) malignant thyroid nodules. The majority of patients’ age group with malignant thyroid nodules were between 50 - 60 years and consisting of twenty (40%) malignant nodules. In our study, according to the result of gray scale and color Doppler ultrasonography, hypo-echogenicity, solid echo structure, micro-calcification and intra-nodular vascularity were the significant characteristics of malignancy in nodules with sensitivity (72%, 74%, 48% and 88% respectively), specificity (66%, 63%, 94% and 69% respectively), PPV (60%, 59%, 86% and 67% respectively) and NPV (77%, 77%, 72% and 89% respectively).

Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Solitary Pulmonary Nodule: Literature Review

The solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is frequently seen on chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT), usually the identification is accidental. The overall prevalence of malignancy is relatively low but identification of malignancy of nodule is of prime importance. There are different characters of nodules indicating malignancy, and also the exposure of person to risk factors increases the chances of malignancy of nodule. Chances of malignancy rise with increasing size, the irregular, lobulated border of the nodules is highly associated with higher probability of malignancy and nodules with pure ground grass appearance have higher probability of malignancy, irregularly marginated nodule displaying a corona radiata sign indicating neoplastic infiltration with distortion of neighbouring tissue is almost certainly a malignant nodule. Stippled, punctuate, and eccentric calcifications are suggestive of malignancy. There are 20% - 75% of chances of malignancy if nodule is appeared with ground-glass opacity. Malignant nodules have higher growth rate as compared with benign nodules, malignant nodules usually have doubling time (DT) of 30 - 400 days while DT of more than 450 days is sign of benignity whereas doubling time less than 30 days is usually acute infectious process. The presence of fat within nodule is sign of benignity. Increasing density of the nodule is suggestive of malignancy and requires shorter follow up. Besides the nodule evaluation the chances of malignancy can also be evaluated through the exposure of patient to risk factors like age, current and past smoking status and history of extra thoracic malignancy. The management depends upon various factors mainly three strategies are applied for management including careful observation of nodule, use of diagnostic techniques like CT FNA, PET, and broncoscopy and surgery.

Evaluation of Diagnostic Efficiency of Ultrasound Features on Malignant Thyroid Nodules in Chinese Patients

Background： The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonic features in predicting the malignancy of thyroid nodules in a group of Chinese patients. Methods： In all, 762 patients with thyroid nodules （424 malignant and 338 benign） underwent ultrasound （US） check and surgery between March 2011 and July 2014 at Peking University First Hospital were identified. Univariate and receiver operating characteristic （ROC） analyses were performed to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of each US feature, and the accuracy of their combinations lbr prediction of malignancy. Results： Patients with malignant nodules were younger and without obvious risk history than those in the benign group （P 〈 0.001, P = 0.93 ）. No individual US sign was fully predictive of a malignant lesion. The Youden indexes of irregular margins and hypoechogenicity were the first and second highest in all US features, which were 51.9% and 45.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of solid components （89.7%） and hypoechogenicity （89.2%） and the specificity of taller-than-wide shape （98.5%） and microcalcifications （90.6%） were the first and second highest in all US features. Intranodular flow on a color Doppler examination was a weak predictor of malignancy. Under ROC analysis excepting intranodular flow, the 95% confidence interval （C1） of areas under tile curves of hypoechogenicity and irregular margins with any one of the US features were overlapped that of five-feature combinations （95% CI： 0.850 0.901）. Conclusions： We should be alert with taller-than-wide shape and microcalcifications, lntranodular flow was a weak predictor of malignancy. According to Youden indexes and ROC analysis, irregular margins and hypoechogenicity combined with solid component or taller-than-wide shapes or microcalcifications have a high predicative value for malignant thyroid nodules in Chinese patients.

Complications Following Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules： A Systematic Review

Objective： This systematic review examined whether radiofrequency ablation （RFA） is a sate treatment modality for benign thyroid nodules （BTNs）. Data Sources： PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database were searched for articles that （a） targeted human beings and （b） had a study population with BTNs that were confirmed by fine-needle aspiration cytology and/or core needle biopsy. Study Selection： Thirty-two studies relating to 3409 patients were included in this systematic review. Results： Based on literatures, no deaths were associated with the procedure, serious complications were rare, and RFA appears to be a sale and well-tolerated treatment modality. However, a broad spectrum of complications offers insights into some undesirable complications, such as track needle seeding and Hornet syndrome. Conclusions： RFA appears to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment modality for BTNs. More research is needed to characterize the complications of RFA for thyroid nodules.

Intratumoral Bacteria Dysbiosis Is Associated with Human Papillary Thyroid Cancer and Correlated with Oncogenic Signaling Pathways

Emerging evidence suggests that microbial dysbiosis plays vital roles in many human cancers.However,knowledge of whether the microbial community in thyroid tumor is related to tumorigenesis remains elusive.In this study,we aimed to explore the microbial community in thyroid tissues and its contribution to papillary thyroid cancer(PTC).In parallel,we performed microbial profiling and transcriptome sequencing in the tumor and adjacent normal tissues of a large cohort of 340 PTC and benign thyroid nodule(BTN)patients.Distinct microbial signatures were identified in PTC,BTN,and their adjacent nontumor tissues.Intra-thyroid tissue bacteria were verified by means of bacteria staining,fluorescence in situ hybridization,and immunoelectron microscopy.We found that 17 bacterial taxa were differentially abundant in PTC compared with BTN,which included enrichment in PTC of the pathobionts Rhodococcus,Neisseria,Streptococcus,Halomonas,and Devosia,and depletion of the beneficial bacteria Amycolatopsis.These differentially abundant bacteria could differentiate PTC tumor tissues(PTC-T)from BTN tissues(BTN-T)with an area under the curve(AUC)of 81.66%.Microbial network analysis showed increased correlation strengths among the bacterial taxa in PTC-T in comparison with BTN-T.Immunefunction-corresponding bacteria(i.e.,Erwinia,Bacillus,and Acinetobacter)were found to be enriched in PTC with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.Moreover,our integrative analysis revealed that the PTC-enriched bacteria had a positive association with key PTC-oncogenic pathway-related genes,including BRAF,KRAS,IRAK4,CTNNB1,PIK3CA,MAP3K7,and EGFR.In conclusion,our results suggest that intratumor bacteria dysbiosis is associated with the thyroid tumorigenesis and oncogenic signaling pathways of PTC.

Correlation of BRD4 and Skp2 expression levels in ultrasound-guided thyroid nodule fine needle aspiration biopsy tissue with the pathological features of nodules

Objective:To study the correlation of bromodomain-containing protein 4(BRD4)and S-phase kinase-associated protein 2(Skp2)expression levels in ultrasound-guided thyroid nodule fine needle aspiration biopsy tissue with the pathological features of nodules.Methods:The tissues obtained in ultrasound-guided thyroid nodule fine needle aspiration biopsy in our hospital between March 2015 and March 2018 was selected and divided into malignant group and benign group according to the pathological results,and the expression levels of BRD4,Skp2,proliferation genes and angiogenesis genes were detected.Results:The BRD4 and Skp2 mRNA expression in thyroid nodules of the malignant group were significantly higher than those of the benign group,and the BRD4 and Skp2 mRNA expression in the malignant group of thyroid nodules with TNM III-IV,capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those in the thyroid nodules with TNM I-II,without capsular invasion and without lymph node metastasis;cyclin D1(CCND1),β-catenin,proliferation cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),endothelial cell specific molecule-1(ESM-1),Survivin and cyclooxygenase 2(COX2)mRNA expression in thyroid nodules of the malignant group were obviously higher than those of the benign group and positively correlated with BRD4 and Skp2 while cyclin G2(CCNG2)and endostatin(ES)mRNA expression were significantly lower than those of the benign group and negatively correlated with BRD4 and Skp2.Conclusion:The high expression of BRD4 and Skp2 in malignant thyroid nodules is correlated with the pathological changes and can change the expression of proliferation genes and angiogenesis genes.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection and characterization of solid pancreatic nodules: An update

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the pancreas. The remaining pancreatic tumors are a diverse group of pancreatic neoplasms that comprises cystic pancreatic neoplasms, endocrine tumors and other uncommon pancreatic tumors. Due to the excellent soft tissue contrast resolution, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is frequently able to readily separate cystic from noncystic tumors. Cystic tumors are often easy to diagnose with MRI; however, noncystic non-adenocarcinoma tumors may show a wide spectrum of imaging features, which can potentially mimic ductal adenocarcinoma. MRI is a reliable technique for the characterization of pancreatic lesions. The implementation of novel motionresistant pulse sequences and respiratory gating techniques, as well as the recognized benefits of MR cholangiopancreatography, make MRI a very accurate examination for the evaluation of pancreatic masses. MRI has the distinctive ability of non-invasive assessment of the pancreatic ducts, pancreatic parenchyma, neighbouring soft tissues, and vascular network in one examination. MRI can identify different characteristics of various solid pancreatic lesions, potentially allowing the differentiation of adenocarcinoma from other benign and malignant entities. In this review we describe the MRI protocols and MRI characteristics of various solid pancreatic lesions. Recognition of these characteristics may establish the right diagnosis or at least narrow the differential diagnosis, thus avoiding unnecessary tests or procedures and permitting better management.

甲状腺结节超声恶性危险分层指南对甲状腺乳头状癌的诊断价值:C-TIRADS与ATA指南比较

目的探讨甲状腺结节超声恶性危险分层中国指南(C-TIRADS)和美国甲状腺协会(ATA)指南对甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)的诊断价值。资料与方法回顾性收集2019年7月—2021年5月联勤保障部队第九〇九医院甲状腺结节术后且有明确病理结果的259例患者(339个结节),分为甲状腺良性结节组150例(210个结节)和PTC组109例(129个结节),分析两组一般资料和结节声像图特征,分别用两种指南对结节进行分类并与手术病理结果进行对照,绘制受试者工作特征曲线评价两种指南对PTC的诊断价值。结果两组恶性声像图特征中,实性、边缘模糊/不规则或甲状腺外侵犯、垂直位、低或极低回声、微钙化差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=123.67、132.71、103.82、4.58、137.93,P均<0.05),以PTC组多见;与C-TIRADS不同,ATA指南对61个结节(61/339,17.99%)分类不明确;C-TIRADS和ATA指南的曲线下面积分别为0.952(0.924~0.972)、0.942(0.911~0.964),差异无统计学意义(Z=0.943,P=0.346);两者的最佳截断值为4b类和高度可疑,C-TIRADS的敏感度最高[0.930(120/129)比0.822(106/129)],ATA指南的特异度最高[0.857(180/210)比0.943(198/210)],差异均有统计学意义(χ^(2)=6.99、8.57,P均<0.01),两组准确度[0.885(300/339)比0.897(300/339)]差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=0.24,P=0.622)。结论C-TIRADS和ATA指南对PTC均有很高的诊断效能,但C-TIRADS适用于所有甲状腺结节的声像图表现,且受超声医师临床经验影响小,更易在临床推广使用。

从肝脾论治甲状腺良性结节研究进展

甲状腺结节为常见的内分泌系统疾病,多为良性结节。西医对于甲状腺结节缺乏有效的治疗措施,对于部分病情严重的患者可进行手术治疗,但相关并发症较多。中医认为,甲状腺结节的发生与患者情志失调密切相关,而情志畅达与肝脏气机调畅密切相关,患者情志抑郁可致肝气郁结,日久使得脾胃生化功能失调,肝郁脾虚则水液输布失常,痰气瘀结于颈前而发为“瘿病”,因此,从疏肝理气、健脾利水、化痰消瘀为基本原则,治疗甲状腺结节能取得良好的效果。

超声引导微波消融术与开放式手术治疗甲状腺良性大结节的临床疗效比较

目的 比较超声引导微波消融(MWA)术与开放式手术治疗甲状腺良性大结节的临床效果。方法 选取2020年4月至2022年4月在沧州中西医结合医院收治的96例甲状腺良性大结节患者为研究对象,按照随机数字表法将其分为开放组(实施开放式手术)和MWA组(实施超声引导MWA术),每组48例。比较两组手术相关指标、结节清除率、甲状腺激素水平、术后并发症发生情况。结果 与开放组相比,MWA组手术时间、术中失血量、术后住院天数更少(P<0.05),术后24 h NRS评分更低(P<0.05)。术后6个月两组结节清除率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。促甲状腺激素(TSH)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)在组间及时间的主效应比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与开放组相比,术后3、6个月MWA组TSH明显降低(P<0.05),FT3、FT4明显升高(P<0.05)。MWA组并发症发生率(4.17%)低于开放组(18.75%)(P<0.05)。结论 超声引导MWA术与开放式手术对甲状腺良性大结节的治疗效果均较好,但超声引导MWA术在减少手术时间、术后并发症及住院时间方面具有优势,并能充分保留甲状腺功能。

实时剪切波弹性成像联合超声造影参数在鉴别甲状腺实性结节良恶性的诊断价值研究

目的 评估实时剪切波弹性成像(SWE)杨氏模量联合超声造影(CEUS)参数在鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性中的诊断价值。方法 以2020年6月至2022年11月在宝鸡市人民医院经细针穿刺活检或手术病理证实的甲状腺结节病人为研究对象,按照研究目标设定的纳入/排除标准,最终纳入106例共106个结节,行常规超声及SWE检查,记录结节超声特征及弹性参数,后行CEUS检查,并对结节动态造影图像进行定量参数分析,获取造影时间-强度曲线(TIC)图及相关CEUS参数。比较SWE参数Еmax、Еmin、Еmean与CEUS参数PI、TTP、MTT、超声造影TIC曲线下面积(AUC)及联合参数在鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性中的诊断价值。结果 106例甲状腺结节中,甲状腺良性结节(TBN)组60例和恶性结节(TMN)组46例;两组结节一般资料比较中,病人年龄平均值TBN组(42.37±5.54)岁与TMN组(39.56±4.69)岁相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),结节血流分布差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组结节SWE杨氏模量Emax、Emin、Emean平均值中,TBN组平均值分别为(39.29±12.59)Kp、(14.19±4.60)Kp、(23.01±7.93)Kp,TMN组平均值分别为(104.35±35.62)Kp、(35.09±17.53)Kp、(62.13±22.94)Kp,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组结节CEUS定性及定量各参数PI、TTP、AUC平均值中,TBN组各参数平均值分别为(45.88±4.22)dB、(22.02±1.97)s、(4177.58±426.29)dB·s,TMN组各参数平均值分别为(35.64±4.16)dB、(24.98±3.91)s、(3280.94±315.76)dB·s,TMN组PI、AUC均低于TBN组,而TMN组TTP长于TBN组,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);SWE及CEUS参数联合诊断受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线下面积(AUC)、准确性及对应的灵敏度、特异度均高于各参数单独诊断,且均差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。SWE各参数单独及联合诊断ROC曲线成对比较,Еmax比Еmin、Еmean比Еmin成对比较差异有统计学意义(Z=2.60、3.00,P<0.05)。CEUS各参数单独及联合诊断ROC曲线成对比较,TTP与联合诊断成对比较差异有统计学意义(Z=2.35,P<0.05)。Emean截断值为32.21 KPa时,SWE-Emean联合CEUS特征鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性的诊断效能均优于SWE-Emean或CEUS单独诊断。结论SWE杨氏模量联合CEUS参数可提高甲状腺结节诊断准确性。

深度学习联合C-TIRADS在甲状腺4a类结节风险分层管理的应用

目的探讨深度学习联合中国超声甲状腺影像报告和数据系统(C-TIRADS)在甲状腺4a类结节风险分层管理的应用。方法纳入陕西省人民医院2018年12月~2022年10月收治的179例甲状腺结节患者,依据病理结果分为良性组(n=76)与恶性组(n=103),所有患者均予以超声检查,按照C-TIRADS指南标准、深度学习进行观察诊断。利用多因素Logistic回归分析获取独立预测指标;利用ROC曲线评估预测变量准确性。结果多因素Logistic分析显示,甲状腺结节图像特征的结构、方位、边缘、回声、局灶性强回声及年龄是独立预测甲状腺结节性质的指标(P<0.05)。以病理结果为金标准,深度学习联合C-TIRADS与病理结果完全符合率为96.65%,Kappa值为0.932,一致性好;联合诊断甲状腺4a类结节的符合率、特异度、阳性预测值显著高于深度学习、C-TIRADS(P<0.05)。联合诊断疾病的敏感度、阴性预测值高于深度学习(P<0.001),但与C-TIRADS的差异无统计学意义(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示,C-TIRADS、深度学习及联合诊断的AUC分别为0.873、0.819、0.967;与Az=0.5相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。结论C-TIRADS在甲状腺4a类结节风险分层管理中敏感性较高,结合深度学习辅助诊断能够准确进行甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别,具备较高诊断效能。