Ultrasound in Ti-Rads Classification of Thyroid Nodules at the Marie Curie Medical Clinic

Introduction: A thyroid nodule is a localized hypertrophy within the thyroid parenchyma. The aim of our study was to study the benefit of ultrasound in the Ti-rads classification of thyroid nodules. Methodology: This was a prospective study with a descriptive aim, with prospective collection, which took place over a period of 17 months at the “Marie Curie” medical clinic. The ultrasound machine used was a Voluson E8 from 2011 and the examinations were carried out by two radiologists and two experienced sonographers. The parameters studied were sociodemographic data;clinical data and ultrasound aspects of the Ti-rads classification in the management of nodules. Results: We collected 235 patients out of 738 patients referred to the service for a cervical ultrasound, i.e. a frequency of 31.84% of cases. There was a female predominance with 95.7% of cases and a sex ratio of 0.04. The average age of our patients was 50 years. We found on cervical ultrasound: Isthmo-lobar glandular hyperplasia in 99 patients, i.e. a frequency of 42.1%. The Ti-rads 3 classification was the most represented in 69.4% of cases. The benignity criterion represented 85.6% of cases in our patients and the malignancy criterion represented 14.4% of cases. Conclusion: The precise description of a thyroid nodule provided by ultrasound (Ti-rads) is essential in the management of nodules.

The Reliability of Ultrasound Diagnosis in Differentiating Malignant from Benign Thyroid Nodules Using TI-RADS Selection Followed by FNA

Context: Diagnostic imaging has increased the rate of thyroid nodules detection and improved utilization of fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the effects of the most reliable non-invasive technique on thyroid nodules. Methods: Between 2016 and 2020, 190 patients with 214 nodules visiting King Khalid University Hospital were randomly selected and retrospectively reviewed. Following the ACR TI-RADS recommendations for FNA and correlating cytology reports. Two expert radiologists with ultrasonographic imaging experience re-evaluated and reviewed the images. 88 nodules (41%) in 79 patients were excluded because the nodule size was smaller than the FNA recommended size. Results: Following the ACR TI-RADS for FNA recommended selection, 27 nodules (21.4%) out of the recommended 126 nodules were consistent with malignancy in cytology, with overall mean sensitivities, specificities, accuracies, precisions, and negative predictive values (NPV) of 96.4%, 40.7%, 48.7%, 28.4%, and 98.6% respectively. The nodules were subdivided into the TI-RADS 3, 4, and 5. Conclusion: In conclusion, ACR TI-RADS is feasible, reliable, and well structured, easily applicable in thyroid nodules reporting. ACR TI-RADS can eliminate many unnecessary FNAs, providing a decline in costs and complications. We recommend the ACR TI-RADS in our radiology department to eliminate reporting discrepancies and cut costs, thereby standardizing the reports, improving intra-user agreements, and improving overall patients’ health care.

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.

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with elastography in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND Cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) affects the treatment and prognosis of patients. Ultrasound is a common imaging method for detecting cervical lymph nodes in PTC patients; however, it is not accurate in determining lymph node metastasis.AIM To evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with elastography in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis in PTC.METHODS A total of 94 patients with PTC were recruited. According to pathological results,lymph nodes were divided into two groups: metastatic group(n = 50) and reactive group(n = 63). The routine ultrasound findings, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and elastography data were recorded and compared. Logistic regression was used to generate predictive probability distributions for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis with different indicators. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to test the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with elastography based on routine ultrasound in evaluating PTC cervical lymph node metastasis.RESULTS The ratio of long diameter/short diameter(L/S) ≤ 2, irregular marginal morphology, missing lymphatic portal, peripheral or mixed blood flow distribution, peak intensity(PI), non-uniform contrast distribution and elasticity score in the metastatic group were significantly higher than those in the reactive group(P < 0.05). L/S ratio, missing lymphatic portal, PI and elasticity score had a significant influence on the occurrence of PTC cervical lymph node metastasis(P< 0.05). Furthermore, the area under the curve(AUC) for lymph node metastasis diagnosed using the combination of PI ratio, elasticity score, missing lymphatic portal and LS was 0.936, which was significantly higher than the AUC for PI ratio alone. The difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05). The fitting equation for the combined diagnosis was logit(P) =-12.341 + 1.482 × L/S ratio + 3.529 ×missing lymphatic portal + 0.392 × PI + 3.288 × elasticity score.CONCLUSION Based on the gray-scale ultrasound, the combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and elastography can accurately assess PTC cervical lymph node metastasis.

Assessment of Malignancy Risk in Thyroid Nodules Using a Practical Ultrasound Predictor Model: “Alpha Score”

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a simple predictor model to diagnose malignancy by using ultrasound features of thyroid nodules and the association with cytopathological diagnosis obtained by fine needle aspiration. Materials and Methods: The likelihood of malignancy from ultrasound features was assessed in thyroid nodules obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) according to cytopathological findings reported using Bethesda System. A score was developed depending on the presence of each ultrasound feature evaluated. Results: 429 nodules were assessed, 103 (24%) were malignant. The following ultrasound features were associated with malignancy, according to the logistic regression analysis and were assigned a score of 0, +1, +2 depending on the presence or absence of each one: hypoechogenicity, solid appearance, irregular margins, microcalcifications, absence of a halo, diameter of &ge;10 mm and intranodular vascular flow. The area under the curve of the proposed model was 0.900, demonstrating its predictive capacity. 4 risk categories were stablished based on the score obtained. Malignant nodules scored higher than the benign nodules (7.24 &plusmn;1.87 vs. 3.74 &plusmn;1.83). Conclusions: The proposed predictive model demonstrated to be useful and easy to apply when stratifying thyroid nodule risk of malignancy using presented US features and applying the proposed risk categories to increase the accuracy at selecting nodules that need to be studied with FNA.

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).

军事飞行人员C-TIRADS 4类甲状腺结节的超声声像图及分类影响因素分析

目的分析军事飞行人员C-TIRADS 4类甲状腺结节的超声声像图及临床资料,探究飞行人员C-TIRADS 4类甲状腺结节发病特征及分类影响因素。方法选取2018年9月至2024年8月某院年度体检中检出C-TIRADS 4类甲状腺结节的67例军事飞行人员作为研究对象,回顾性分析其甲状腺结节超声声像图特点,比较不同年龄、飞行时间、机型及血脂、血尿酸对甲状腺结节C-TIRADS分类的影响。结果67例C-TIRADS 4类甲状腺结节中,4A类40例(59.7%)、4B类20例(29.9%)、4C类7例(10.4%)。超声声像图特点表现为以低回声、直径小于1 cm为主。年龄、飞行时间、驾驶机型以及血脂、血尿酸均不会影响甲状腺结节的分类(χ_(年龄)^(2)=1.628,P=0.848;χ_(飞行时间)^(2)=2.699,P=0.606;χ_(机型)^(2)=8.303,P=0.056;χ_(血脂)^(2)=3.885,P=0.127;χ_(尿酸)^(2)=2.475,P=0.293)。结论本研究中,军事飞行人员甲状腺C-TIRADS 4类甲状腺结节以4A类为主,其超声声像图主要以低回声、直径小于1 cm为特征,提示在为飞行人员行甲状腺超声检查时应仔细检查,精确评估甲状腺结节恶性风险,健全动态随访机制,完善临床管理路径,为恶性高风险甲状腺结节的管理提供科学依据。

Effect of Occupational Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on the Thyroid Gland of Workers:A Prospective Study

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effects of occupational extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field(ELF-EMF)exposure on the thyroid gland.Methods:We conducted a prospective analysis of 85 workers(exposure group)exposed to an ELF-EMF(100μT,10-100 Hz)produced by the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and followed up on thyroid function indices,immunological indices,and color Doppler images for 3 years.Additionally,116 healthy volunteers were randomly selected as controls(control group),the thyroid function of whom was compared to the exposure group.Results:No significant difference was observed in thyroid function between the exposure and control groups.During the follow-up of the exposure group,the serum free triiodothyronine(FT3)level was found to slowly decrease and free thyroxine(FT4)level slowly increase with increasing exposure time.However,no significant difference was found in thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)over the three years,and no significant difference was observed in the FT3,FT4 and TSH levels between different exposure subgroups.Furthermore,no significant changes were observed in thyroid autoantibody levels and ultrasound images between subgroups or over time.Conclusion:Long-term exposure to ELF-EMF may promote thyroid secretion of T4 and inhibit deiodination of T4 to T3.ELF-EMF has no significant effect on thyroid immune function and morphology.

Solitary Thyroid Nodule: Clinical, Sonography and Pathological Evaluation Risk of Malignancy

Aim: To determined risk of increases Incidence of Thyroid cancer in solitary thyroid nodules so Preoperative distinction between benign and malignant in solitary thyroid nodules is important and helps to avoid unnecessary surgery and its adverse effects, such as hypothyroidism, hypocalcemia, and recurrent nerve injury. Methods: Descriptive perspective analyzed data over a period of 6 years April 2015-April 2021 in Saudi Hospital at Hajjah, Yemen. 226 thyroid operations for 207 patients, 135 patient’s diagnosis as Solitary thyroid nodule and 72 patients as Multi nodular goiter. Patients with a clinically solitary thyroid nodule were included in the study group. Results: 135 cases of clinically detected solitary thyroid nodules, 126 female and 9 male patients, between 14 - 65 years age, median 41 years and mean 39.76 years, (94, 41) patients respectively Right side thyroid effect more than Left side, Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) sensitivity, specificity and accuracy was (61%, 72%, 64%) respectively. Postoperative histopathology reported 100 (74%) patients as having benign thyroid nodules and 35 patients (26%) as having malignant thyroid nodules. Postoperative transient hypocalcemia was observed in 9 patients (7%), and temporary hoarseness was observed in 3 patients (2%). Conclusion: The incidence of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodules is high. Rapid growth by history and hard fixed nodule by examination and hypoechoic, micro calcification and cervical lymphadenopathy on Thyroid Ultrasound frequently in malignant nodules. Male risk factors for thyroid cancer but age, number and size of nodules not included as risk factor. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is more helpful for diagnosing if aspiration under Ultrasound guidance and reading by experience histopathologists. The type of surgery depends on preoperative evaluation, including history, examination, ultrasound, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) result, and intraoperative assessment of the nodule. There are fewer complications of thyroid surgery by experienced surgeons.

Artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer:Recent advances and future directions

The diagnosis and management of thyroid cancer is fraught with challenges despite the advent of innovative diagnostic,surgical,and chemotherapeutic modalities.Challenges like inaccuracy in prognostication,uncertainty in cytopathological diagnosis,trouble in differentiating follicular neoplasms,intra-observer and inter-observer variability on ultrasound imaging preclude personalised treatment in thyroid cancer.Artificial intelligence(AI)is bringing a paradigm shift to the healthcare,powered by quick advancement of the analytic techniques.Several recent studies have shown remarkable progress in thyroid cancer diagnostics based on AI-assisted algorithms.Application of AI techniques in thyroid ultrasonography and cytopathology have shown remarkable improvement in sensitivity and specificity over the traditional diagnostic modalities.AI has also been explored in the development of treatment algorithms for indeterminate nodules and for prognostication in the patients with thyroid cancer.The benefits of high repeatability and straightforward implementation of AI in the management of thyroid cancer suggest that it holds promise for clinical application.Limited clinical experience and lack of prospective validation studies remain the biggest drawbacks.Developing verified and trustworthy algorithms after extensive testing and validation using prospective,multi-centre trials is crucial for the future use of AI in the pipeline of precision medicine in the management of thyroid cancer.

基于ACR TI⁃RADS分析S⁃Thyroid和超声医师评估甲状腺结节的一致性

目的根据美国放射学会制定的甲状腺影像报告与数据系统(ACR TI⁃RADS),分析甲状腺自动扫查助手(S⁃Thyroid)和超声医师对甲状腺结节超声特征评估的一致性和两者的诊断效能。方法选取甲状腺结节患者253例共276个结节,分别由甲状腺扫查助手(S⁃Thyroid)和超声医师对甲状腺结节的超声特征进行评估,采用Cohen′s Kappa检验分析S⁃Thyroid和超声医师对甲状腺结节超声特征评估的一致性,并以手术病理为金标准,绘制ROC曲线,分析二者的诊断效能。结果276个结节中,良性89个,恶性187个。S⁃Thyroid和超声医师对甲状腺结节形态、内部结构以及回声的评估一致性强(Kappa值分别为0.973、0.886、0.805),对强回声灶和边缘评估的一致性中等(Kappa值分别为0.613、0.597)。在诊断效能方面,S⁃Thyroid和超声医师对甲状腺恶性结节的敏感度、特异度分别为82.01%vs.86.24%,86.21%vs.83.91%,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05);曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.835(95%CI:0.801~0.926)、0.891(95%CI:0.846~0.936),差异无统计学意义(Z=0.913,P>0.05)。结论根据ACR评分标准,S⁃Thyroid和超声医师对甲状腺结节超声特征的评估有着较好的一致性,且具有较高的诊断效能,值得进一步推广和应用。

Comparative study on operative trauma between microwave ablation and surgical treatment for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

AIM To compare the effect and postoperative trauma of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation and surgical resection in the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC).METHODS Eighty-seven patients with PTMC treated at Fudan University affiliated Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital were enrolled as subjects. The patients were divided into a microwave ablation group(41 cases) and a surgical group(46 cases). The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, serum C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), thyroid-related hormonal changes, and complications 7 d and 30 d after surgery were observed. RESULTS The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospital stay in the surgical group were significantly higher than those in the microwave ablation group(P < 0.05). The levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the surgical group were significantly higher than those in the microwave ablation group(P < 0.05). The free triiodothyronine(FT3) and free thyroxin(FT4) levels in the surgical group were significantly lower than those in the microwave ablation group(P < 0.05). However,the postoperative thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)level was significantly higher than that in the microwave ablation group(P < 0.05). There were significant interactions between the FT3, FT4, and TSH 7 d and 30 d after operation and the treatment methods(P < 0.05).There was no significant difference in the complications between the two groups(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Microwave ablation for papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid gland has less trauma to the body, quicker recovery, and no scars. It can effectively shorten the length of hospital stay and improve the quality of life of patients.

The Diagnosis of Diffuse Goitre by Ultrasound Imaging in Children

In order to find an easy and accurate procedure for diagnosis of diffuse goitre in children, we examined 50 patients with diffuse goitre using fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology, thyroid antibody detection, thyroid hormone analysis and ultrasound imaging. In the meantime, 109 healthy children (control) were examined by ultrasound imaging. The results showed that thyroid imaging in health children was a smooth echo pattern with stronger homogenous echogram than surrounding muscle tissues. The patients with diffuse goitre showed an normally enlarged thyroid volume. In 22 (84. 6 %) of 26 children With chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, a varied patch hypoechogenicity was found, of whom 18 (81. 8 % ) had positive results of antibody testing. On the contrary, echo-pattern was normal in 17 (70. 8 %) of 24 patients with diffuse thyroid proliferation and only the remainder (7/24, 29. 1% ) had abnormal echo-pattern as well as elevated auto-antibody titers, of whom 2 were confirmed as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis by a repeat fine needle aspiration biopsy 1 year later. By using combined ultrasound imaging and antibody determination, 92 % of the cases with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis could be diagnosed. Our study suggests that ultrasonic imaging is an easy, non-invasive, reproducible and effective procedure in the differen,tial diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis in children.

^(99m)TcO4-SPECT/CT甲状腺核素显像联合超声及TSH对甲状腺结节性质的诊断价值

目的通过高锝酸钠-单光子发射计算机断层显像/电子计算机X射线断层扫描技术(^(99m)TcO4-SPECT/CT)核素显像提供甲状腺结节功能状态、结节解剖特点以及超声检查联合血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平进一步鉴别诊断甲状腺结节的良恶性,客观评价甲状腺结节的良恶性情况,对甲状腺结节的良恶性做出早期诊断。方法对因甲状腺结节同时行^(99m)TcO4-SPECT/CT甲状腺核素显像、甲状腺B超及TSH水平检查的患者共80例(92个结节)进行回顾性分析,对比不同方法及联合检查对甲状腺结节的诊断效能。结果92个结节中良性74个,恶性18个;^(99m)TcO4-SPECT/CT甲状腺显像与超声检查比较灵敏度(77.8%)高,特异度(70.2%)及准确度(71.7%)低,假阳性率(29.7%)高,假阴性率(22.2%)低,两者之间灵敏度、特异度、准确度、假阳性率、假阴性率差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);两者准确度比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。^(99)mTcO4-SPECT/CT甲状腺显像与超声检查比较灵敏度高,特异性及准确度低,假阳性率高,假阴性率低,两者之间灵敏度、特异度、准确度、假阳性率、假阴性率差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);两者准确度比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);^(99m)TcO4-SPECT/CT甲状腺显像与超声检查联合较单独核素、单独超声检查灵敏度(88.9%)、特异度(87.8%)、准确度(81.5%)高,假阳性率(12.1%)、假阴性率(11.1%)低;联合检查与单独核素特异度、准确度、假阳性率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),灵敏度与假阴性率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);联合检查与单独超声灵敏度、准确度、假阴性率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);特异度与假阳性率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论超声可以作为甲状腺结节的首选检查方法,其特异性高,但灵敏度低。^(99m)TcO4-SPECT/CT甲状腺显像在提供功能和代谢信息的同时,能提供解剖信息;而血清TSH水平则可为甲状腺结节的良恶性鉴别提供重要的参考依据,尤其对于核素冷结节且超声实性结节的患者,更应参考其TSH水平,将三者结合起来判断甲状腺结节的性质,为临床提供恰当的治疗方案,这具有重要意义。

Investigating the Association of Smoking with Thyroid Volume and Function

This study was conducted to explore possible correlation between smoking habit and thyroid volume and function in Jeddah. A total of 226 volunteers i.e. 128 male and 98 female were screened at Radiology Department King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital. They were categorized as smokers and non- smokers;the number of smokers was 99 cases i.e. 48 Cigarette smokers and 51 Shisha smokers, and the non-smokers were 127 cases. The information was gathered via a questionnaire distributed at the radiology department. Ultrasonography of thyroid and thyroid function test were performed for 166 participants;and data were analyzed Using SPSS version 22 and Microsoft excel. The study was carried out based on random selection and findings revealed that most of the cases were in the age group between 20 to 30 years old, high body mass index (BMI) was 33.1 kg/m2 in persons above 60 years old and the highest percentage smokers in the age group from 20 to 30 years (40.02%). Ultrasonography of thyroid showed 96 (58%) normal cases, 46 (28%) abnormal “solid” cases and 24 (14%) abnormal “cyst” cases. A lower proportion of cigarette and shisha smokers (15.4% and 5.6% respectively) had an enlarged thyroid gland compared to no cigarettes or shisha smokers (47.9% and 47.3% respectively). The difference between these frequencies was statistically significant (Chi-square = 9.446 and 11.424, p = 0.002 and p = 0.001 for cigarette and shisha smoking respectively). Consequently, it can be concluded from this research that there are no direct significant values correlating smoking habit to thyroid volume or function. However, it is always recommended not smoke due to other well-known threats.

Mobile Phone Use and Risk of Thyroid Gland Lesions Detected by Ultrasonography

In recent years, widespread use of mobile phones has led to a public debate about possible harmful effects on human health. A lot of researchers studied the possible effect of radiofrequency energy (RFE) emitted from cell phones on the human body. Up to our knowledge no one studied the effect of these waves on the thyroid gland by Ultrasonography (US). Our aim was to investigate the possible effects of EMR arising from cell phones on the thyroid gland using US. A prospective study was done on 180 participants, 110 females and 70 males, ranging in age from 15 to 65. A constructed questionnaire was distributed among them before performing US of the neck. Demographic data along with US findings were collected and statistically analyzed. A total of 46.7% of our participants had abnormal findings of the thyroid gland more in non smart phone users and more in females. The commonest abnormality was multinodular goiter (54%). Expanded researches are still needed to answer the question about the hazards of RFE on human health. All efforts should be made to encourage users of cellular phone to follow mobile device recommendations of manufacturers and avoid its possible hazards as possible.

超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺联合常规超声在不同TI-RADS分级甲状腺结节中诊断价值分析

目的探讨超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺联合常规超声在不同甲状腺影像报告和数据系统(TI-RADS)分级甲状腺结节中诊断价值。方法选取2022年1月到2023年12月延安市人民医院收治的86例采取手术治疗的甲状腺结节患者(结节数96个)进行回顾性分析,分析患者术前超声诊断资料与超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺诊断结果;以术后病理诊断作为“金标准”,建立受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线分析超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺联合常规超声在不同TI-RADS分级甲状腺结节中诊断价值。结果86例甲状腺结节患者通过常规超声诊断,3类、4a类、4b类、4c类、5类结节数量分别为6个、46个、28个、11个、5个。常规超声3类良性结节占比为6.25%,低于手术病理结果(15.63%),4~5类恶性结节占比为93.75%,高于手术病理结果(84.37%),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。86例甲状腺结节患者通过超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺诊断3类良性结节占比12.50%,4~5类恶性结节占比87.50%,与手术病理结果(15.63%、84.37%)比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。86例患者手术病理诊断确诊为恶性甲状腺结节的患者37例,良性58例。常规超声诊断准确率为65.12%,显著低于超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺诊断准确率(94.19%)、手术病理诊断准确率(100.00%),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,常规超声、超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺、二者联合诊断甲状腺结节的敏感度从低到高依次为52.58%、80.25%、91.26%,特异度从低到高依次为64.32%、91.36%、98.63%。结论超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺联合常规超声对甲状腺结节的鉴别与诊断具有显著价值,临床可考虑针对甲状腺结节患者通过常规超声进行TI-RADS分级,再针对4~5类患者采取超声引导下甲状腺细针穿刺进行诊断,提升诊断准确性。

融合多尺度特征和注意力机制的超声甲状腺结节分割

针对目前超声影像下甲状腺结节分割不够精准的问题,提出一种融合多尺度特征和注意力机制的超声甲状腺结节分割方法。该模型编码设计了多感受野通道选择模块,通过核心选择注意力对多个不同感受野的特征进行自适应加权组合,使包含目标的感受野通道占据主导。同时,设计自适应全局上下文模块自适应地提取瓶颈层多个尺度的全局上下文特征,以实现对瓶颈层高级语义的有效编码。此外,设计双注意力引导模块增强编解码器对等层之间的特征融合,以减少上采样过程中的信息损失。在公开的超声甲状腺结节数据集上进行实验,结果表明,文中所提方法优于其他对比网络,能更加精准地分割出甲状腺结节,有效提升了甲状腺结节的分割性能。

基于超声的影像组学在甲状腺结节诊断中的研究进展

近几年甲状腺结节的检出率显著提高,虽然公认甲状腺乳头状癌的侵袭性低,但仍有部分患者在术后复发或远处转移,2015年美国甲状腺协会指南中明确提出其主要目标是:减小对大多数与疾病相关的死亡、复发的风险,并降低对患者的过度治疗带来的潜在危害,而给予高危险患者恰当的治疗和监控。因此良恶性的鉴别诊断十分重要,但甲状腺结节良恶性之间存在重叠甚至完全相同,给常规超声诊断带来巨大的困难及挑战。甲状腺影像报告和数据系统分类国内外版本较多,不同医师之间使用一致性差异较大。目前超声引导下甲状腺结节穿刺活检术仍是术前诊断的金标准,但是仍有部分结节不能定性,尤其对于<1 cm结节也难以成功穿刺成功或取得准确的病理结果。BRAFV600E基因检测的特异度较高,但是敏感度较低。基于超声的影像组学是一门新兴的技术,它从超声图像中高通量提取和定量分析成像特征,可以获得肿瘤的形状、纹理和小波等特征,用机器学习方法来构建或预测模型客观地评估肿瘤良恶性与临床、病理、基因及蛋白质的关系,为临床医生提供有价值的信息。本文旨在综述多模态超声及基于超声的影像组学在甲状腺结节诊断中的研究进展。

基于临床与超声特征构建的列线图模型在超声医师修饰甲状腺中国(超声)甲状腺影像报告和数据系统分类结果中的应用价值

目的分析基于甲状腺临床与超声特征构建的列线图模型在超声医师修饰甲状腺中国(超声)甲状腺影像报告和数据系统(C-TI-RADS)分类结果中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析2021年1月—2022年12月四川省人民医院(训练集,n=841)以及四川绵阳四0四医院(外部验证集,n=295)外科手术切除的甲状腺结节患者的临床病理及超声资料,并利用术前甲状腺超声进行甲状腺结节C-TI-RADS分类。通过单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析在训练集中筛选独立预测因子并构建列线图模型,通过Bootstrap重抽样进行内部验证;四川绵阳四0四医院超声医师根据构建的列线图模型进行外部验证。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线及校准曲线,评估模型效能及在超声医师修饰C-TI-RADS分类结果中的临床价值。结果单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,性别、年龄、结节最大径、结节数目、颈部淋巴结超声异常和C-TI-RADS分类是预测超声医师修饰C-TI-RADS分类结果的独立因素(P<0.05)。基于上述因素构建的列线图模型的一致性指数为0.842(95%CI:0.816~0.867),曲线下面积(AUC)为0.842,基于最佳截断值的敏感度为92.9%,特异度为63.7%,准确率为75.9%。在训练集和外部验证集中,构建的列线图模型的预测结果与实际情况均具有较好的一致性。结论基于甲状腺临床与超声特征构建的列线图模型在超声医师修饰C-TI-RADS分类结果中显示出良好的预测准确性,具有潜在的临床应用价值。