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Latia M, Borlea A, Mihuta MS, Neagoe OC, Stoian D. Impact of ultrasound elastography in evaluating Bethesda category IV thyroid nodules with histopathological correlation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1393982. [PMID: 38863927 PMCID: PMC11165070 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1393982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the gold standard method recommended in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Bethesda IV cytology results are identified in 7-9% of nodules investigated through FNA, with reported malignancy rate in a wide range of 10-40%. The recommended treatment is either surgical or risk additional molecular testing before surgery. However, a large number of nodules belonging to this category (60-80%) are observed to be benign after surgical excision, which can put the patient at risk of unnecessary surgical morbidity. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of conventional ultrasound, the ACR TI-RADS score and elastography in cases of Bethesda IV cytology on FNA. Methods We evaluated ninety-seven consecutive cases with Bethesda category IV results on FNA by using conventional B-mode ultrasound, qualitative strain or shear-wave elastography (Hitachi Preirus Machine, Hitachi Inc., Japan and Aixplorer Mach 30 Supersonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France) and all nodules were classified according to the ACR TI-RADS system. Conventional ultrasound was used to categorize the nodules as potentially malignant based on the following features: hypoechogenicity, inhomogeneity, a taller than wide shape, irregular margins, presence of microcalcifications, an interrupted thyroid capsule and suspicious cervical lymph nodes. Elastography classified nodules with increased stiffness as suspicious for malignancy. Results We considered pathology results as the gold standard diagnosis, finding that 32 out of 97 nodules were carcinomas (33%) and 65 out of 97 were benign nodules (67%). The benign group included twenty cases of non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). Finally, we compared ultrasound data with pathology results, which showed that nineteen out of the 32 malignant nodules presented with increased stiffness on elastography (p=0.0002). On conventional ultrasound, we found that microcalcifications (p=0.007), hypoechogenicity and irregular margins (p=0.006) are features which can distinguish between benign and malignant nodules with statistical significance. Discussion Integrating elastography as a parameter of the ACR TI-RADS score in the evaluation of Bethesda category IV nodules showed a sensitivity of 90.62% in detecting thyroid cancer cases (p=0.006). We can conclude that elastographic stiffness as an addition to high risk features observed on conventional ultrasound improves the detection of malignant nodules in cases with Bethesda IV cytology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Latia
- Department of Doctoral Studies, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Dr. D Medical Center, Center for Advanced Ultrasound Evaluation, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Borlea
- Dr. D Medical Center, Center for Advanced Ultrasound Evaluation, Timisoara, Romania
- Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Monica Simina Mihuta
- Dr. D Medical Center, Center for Advanced Ultrasound Evaluation, Timisoara, Romania
- Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Octavian Constantin Neagoe
- Dr. D Medical Center, Center for Advanced Ultrasound Evaluation, Timisoara, Romania
- 1 Department of Surgery, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Second Clinic of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Emergency Clinical Municipal Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Dana Stoian
- Dr. D Medical Center, Center for Advanced Ultrasound Evaluation, Timisoara, Romania
- Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Endocrinology Unit, Pius Brinzeu Emergency Clinical Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
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Mahmoud SAE, Enaba ME, Shareef MM, Hafez YM, Abbas I. Comparison the accuracy of thyroid sono-elastography vs. ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology with thyroid malignancy diagnosis histopathology. Endocr Regul 2024; 58:129-137. [PMID: 38861538 DOI: 10.2478/enr-2024-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective. The intend of the present study was to assess the diagnostic performance of strain elastography in investigating the thyroid nodule malignancy taking the surgical biopsy as a gold standard reference test. Methods. The study included 120 patients with 123 thyroid nodules, of which 67 had total thyroidectomy. The American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (ACR-TIRADS) were evaluated for all nodules. All suspicious nodules were referred for a fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) if they fulfilled the required size. Strain elastography was performed for each suspicious nodule. Ultrasound-guided FNAC was performed for all suspicious nodules. Total thyroidectomy was performed in those whom the suspicious nodules were proven by FNAC. Results. Strain ratio had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy of 84%, 81%, 95%, 85%, and 84%, respectively, with a cut point 1.96. Elasticity score had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy of 100%, 80%, 95%, 85% and 87%, respectively, with a cut point 0.96. The elasticity score had a statistically significantly odds ratio for detecting the benignity 3.9 C. I (1.6-9.3). Conclusion. Strain elastography has a high diagnostic performance in detecting the malignant as well as benign nodules, thus it can limit the rate of unneeded FNAC or surgery especially among B3 and B4 groups with indeterminate cytology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Abd Elmageed Mahmoud
- Internal Medicine Department, Tanta University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, AL Gharbia, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elsayed Enaba
- Internal Medicine Department, Tanta University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, AL Gharbia, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Moustafa Shareef
- Pathology Department, Tanta University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, AL Gharbia, Egypt
| | - Yasser Moustafa Hafez
- Pathology Department, Tanta University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, AL Gharbia, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Abbas
- Diagnostic Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, AL Gharbia, Egypt
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Antonia TD, Maria LI, Ancuta-Augustina GG. Preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules - Diagnosis and management strategies. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 246:154516. [PMID: 37196471 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with increasing incidence over the past few decades. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is the gold standard for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid malignancies. Nevertheless, this method renders indeterminate results in up to 30% of the cases. Therefore, these patients are often referred to unnecessary surgery to establish the diagnosis. To improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis, several other ways, such as ultrasonography, elastography, immunohistochemical analysis, genetic testing, and core needle biopsy, have been developed and can be used either in association with or as an alternative to FNA. This review aims to evaluate all these diagnostic tools to determine the most appropriate way of managing thyroid nodules and subsequently improve the selection of cases referred to surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapoi Dana Antonia
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania; University Emergency Hospital, Department of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lambrescu Ioana Maria
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Histology, Bucharest, Romania; Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Gheorghisan-Galateanu Ancuta-Augustina
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Histology, Bucharest, Romania; CI Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
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Kholová I, Haaga E, Ludvik J, Kalfert D, Ludvikova M. Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-like Nuclear Features (NIFTP): Tumour Entity with a Short History. A Review on Challenges in Our Microscopes, Molecular and Ultrasonographic Profile. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12020250. [PMID: 35204341 PMCID: PMC8871310 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-like Nuclear Features (NIFTP) was introduced as a new thyroid tumour entity, many studies, and meta-analyses on diagnosing NIFTP have been published. NIFTP-revised histopathological criteria emerged in 2018. NIFTP is defined as a histological entity and its diagnosis requires a careful histological examination. Its molecular profile is similar to follicular-like tumours. Ultrasound features are unable to differentiate NIFTP. NIFTP is not a cytological diagnosis, but it influences the risk of malignancy in several categories of The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology terminology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Kholová
- Pathology, Fimlab Laboratories, Arvo Ylpön Katu 4, 33520 Tampere, Finland;
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-3-311-74851
| | - Elina Haaga
- Pathology, Fimlab Laboratories, Arvo Ylpön Katu 4, 33520 Tampere, Finland;
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Jaroslav Ludvik
- Department of Imaging Methods, University Hospital Pilsen, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 80, 30460 Pilsen, Czech Republic;
| | - David Kalfert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Marie Ludvikova
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 32300 Pilsen, Czech Republic;
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Zhou L, Jiang J, Fu Y, Zhang D, Li T, Fu Q, Yan C, Zhong Y, Dionigi G, Liang N, Sun H. Diagnostic performance of Midkine ratios in fine-needle aspirates for evaluation of Cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Diagn Pathol 2021; 16:92. [PMID: 34689799 PMCID: PMC8543763 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-021-01150-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a basic diagnostic tool for thyroid nodules. However, 15–30% of nodules are cytologically indeterminate. Midkine (MK), a pleiotropic growth factor, is often upregulated in patients with cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the role of MK and its ratios in fine-needle aspirates (FNA) for predicting thyroid malignancy. Methods This retrospective study included patients with thyroid nodules who underwent preoperative FNA and/or thyroidectomy between April 2017 and September 2017. MK levels in FNA washout were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and thyroglobulin (TG) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels in FNA washout were measured by chemiluminescent immunometric assays. Results A total of 217 patients with 242 nodules were included in this study. The concentrations of TG, FT4, MK/TG, MK/FT4, and FT4/MK were significantly different between papillary thyroid carcinomas and benign thyroid nodules. Both MK/TG and MK/FT4 ratios were positively correlated with maximum tumor diameter, extrathyroidal extension, and T and N stages. The area under the curve for MK/TG was 0.719 with a cutoff value of 55.57 ng/mg, while the area under the curve for MK/FT4 was 0.677 with a cutoff value of 0.11 μg/pmol. FNAC in combination with MK/FT4 had a higher sensitivity (95% vs. 91%) and accuracy (96% vs. 92%) than FNAC alone for cytologically indeterminate specimens, those of unknown significance, or those suspected of malignancy. Conclusions MK/FT4 and MK/TG may have diagnostic utility for evaluation of papillary thyroid carcinomas, particularly for cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13000-021-01150-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhou
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jinxi Jiang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yantao Fu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Daqi Zhang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Tong Li
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Qingfeng Fu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Division Of Laboratory Medicine Center, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yifan Zhong
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Gianlorenzo Dionigi
- Division of General and Endocrine Surgery, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nan Liang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Hui Sun
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine on Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun City, 130033, Jilin Province, China.
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Qiu Y, Xing Z, Liu J, Peng Y, Zhu J, Su A. Diagnostic reliability of elastography in thyroid nodules reported as indeterminate at prior fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC): a systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis. Eur Radiol 2020; 30:6624-6634. [PMID: 32990793 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07023-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the diagnostic yields of elastography in thyroid nodules reported as indeterminate in FNAC according to guidelines. METHODS Databases of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched till 31 October 2019. Two different reviewers check the studies and extracted the data. The diagnostic accuracy and yield were quantitatively synthesized using Bayesian bivariate model in R. RESULTS Twenty studies with 1734 indeterminate thyroid nodules undergoing elastography were included. The summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity were 0.766 (95% credible interval (CrI), 0.686-0.835) and 0.867 (95% CrI, 0.780-0.931), respectively. The summary estimate for diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 25.9 (95% CrI, 12.8-46.2). Summary receiver operating characteristic plots for elastography showed a right-diagonal curvilinear relationship, suggesting a trade-off between sensitivity and specificity, and the estimate of area under curve (AUC) was 0.743. The summary estimates for positive and negative likelihood ratios were 6.6 (95% CrI, 4.2-11.3) and 0.27 (95% CrI, 0.21-0.36), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Elastography had fair diagnostic yields in indeterminate thyroid nodules. Shear wave elastography and strain ratio elastography could be more efficient in diagnosis and should evolve in the next years while combing elastography with ultrasound would contribute more to sensitivity and specificity currently. KEY POINTS • Elastography has fair diagnostic yields in indeterminate thyroid nodules. • Shear wave elastography and strain ratio elastography are more efficient than real-time elastography. • Combining elastography and other ultrasound techniques improves evaluation of indeterminate thyroid nodules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Qiu
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhichao Xing
- Center of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, NO. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyan Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulan Peng
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingqiang Zhu
- Center of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, NO. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Anping Su
- Center of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, NO. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Cozzolino A, Pozza C, Pofi R, Sbardella E, Faggiano A, Isidori AM, Giannetta E, Pernazza A, Rullo E, Ascoli V, Lenzi A, Gianfrilli D. Predictors of malignancy in high-risk indeterminate (TIR3B) cytopathology thyroid nodules. J Endocrinol Invest 2020; 43:1115-1123. [PMID: 32100197 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01200-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The classification of indeterminate cytopathology at thyroid fine-needle-aspiration (FNA) has been updated to reduce the number of unnecessary surgery; the 2014 Italian classification introduced the low-risk (TIR3A) and high-risk (TIR3B) subcategories. Aim of this study was to identify the ultrasonographic (US), clinical and cytological predictors of malignancy among TIR3B nodules from a single institution. METHODS A prospective observational study including 1844 patients who underwent thyroid FNA from June 2014 to January 2019. Ultrasonographic, clinical and cytological features were recorded. All TIR3B diagnoses were referred to surgery. According to final histology, patients were divided into thyroid cancer (TC) or benign nodules. Chi-square test, or Fisher exact test when appropriate, were used to compare groups and logistic regression analyses were used to determine independent predictors of malignancy. RESULTS Of 1844 FNAs, 96 (5.2%) were TIR3B. Histology report was available in 65. Among them, 25 (38.5%) were TC. Predictors of TC were nodule size < 20 mm [Odds Ratio (OR) = 5.88, 95% CI 1.91-18.11, p = 0.002], absence or weak intralesional flow [OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.09-0.77, p = 0.015], microcalcifications [OR = 6.5, 95% CI 1.90-21.93, p = 0.003] at US; nuclear inclusions [OR = 25.3, 95% CI 1.34-476.07, p = 0.031] and chromatin clearing [OR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.27-10.99, p = 0.017] at cytopathology. Patients aged < 55 years had a significantly higher risk of TC [OR = 9.7, 95% CI 2.79-34.07, p < 0.001]. In multivariate analysis, age < 55 and nodule size < 20 mm resulted as independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Patients < 55 years receiving a diagnosis TIR3B on nodules < 20 mm, with microcalcifications, showing specific nuclear atypia at cytopathology are more likely to have TC. Combining US, cytological and clinical features could help determining which patients with a TIR3B diagnosis should be referred to surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cozzolino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - C Pozza
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - R Pofi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - E Sbardella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Faggiano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Giannetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Pernazza
- Department of Radiology, Oncology and Pathological Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E Rullo
- Department of Radiology, Oncology and Pathological Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - V Ascoli
- Department of Radiology, Oncology and Pathological Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - D Gianfrilli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Wu Q, Li Y, Liu Y, Shen J, Wang Y, Yi X, Hu B. The value of conventional sonography and ultrasound elastography in decision-making for thyroid nodules in different categories of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2020; 74:255-266. [PMID: 31683465 DOI: 10.3233/ch-180533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yilun Liu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolei Yi
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Castellana M, Piccardo A, Virili C, Scappaticcio L, Grani G, Durante C, Giovanella L, Trimboli P. Can ultrasound systems for risk stratification of thyroid nodules identify follicular carcinoma? Cancer Cytopathol 2020; 128:250-259. [PMID: 31899594 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultrasound (US) risk stratification systems (RSSs) have been developed to reduce the number of unnecessary fine needle aspirations (FNAs) of thyroid nodules. These systems were designed primarily to identify papillary thyroid carcinomas, thus their performance on follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is debatable. The present study was undertaken to investigate the accuracy of RSSs in selecting FTCs for FNA. METHODS Patients with FTC who underwent US examinations between 2012 and 2018 in 2 institutions were selected. US images were reviewed retrospectively, and FTCs were reclassified according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist/American College of Endocrinology/Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AACE/ACE/AME), American College of Radiology (ACR-TIRADS), 2015 American Thyroid Association, British Thyroid Association, European Thyroid Association, Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology and Korean Society of Radiology, and Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS). Risk class and indication for FNA were assessed. RESULTS Forty-five FTCs from 45 consecutive patients were included in the study. The median tumor diameter was 32 mm (range, 11-100), and ovoid isoechoic nodule with or without lobulated margins was the most frequent presentation. When FTCs were classified according to RSSs, the most common categories were intermediate and high risk, though 1 case in 3 was not classifiable. FTCs were classified as high risk/high suspicion/malignant in 11% to 74% of cases, with a statistically significant difference among the systems. FNA was indicated in 69% to 100% of cases, with good agreement among AACE/ACE/AME, ACR-TIRADS, and TIRADS. CONCLUSION Current RSSs show high performance in selecting FTCs for FNA. This result is mainly due to the dimensional RSSs cutoffs indicating FNA. On the contrary, given the reported unsuspicious echo-structural presentation of FTC and the recognized limitation of cytological assessment to detect it, caution is advised when using US to manage cytologically indeterminate nodules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Castellana
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Competence Center for Thyroid Diseases, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Arnoldo Piccardo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Galliera Hospital, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Camilla Virili
- Science and Medico-Surgical Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Scappaticcio
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Competence Center for Thyroid Diseases, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Grani
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cosimo Durante
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Competence Center for Thyroid Diseases, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Competence Center for Thyroid Diseases, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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10
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Casaril A, Inama M, Impellizzeri H, Bacchion M, Creciun M, Moretto G. Thyroid follicular microcarcinoma. Gland Surg 2020; 9:S54-S60. [PMID: 32055499 DOI: 10.21037/gs.2019.12.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Differentiated thyroid cancers are the most common malignancies arising in thyroid gland. Papillary thyroid cancer presents a very favorable prognosis, while follicular type is slightly more aggressive, mainly for its attitude to hematogenous spreading with distant metastases. Papillary microcarcinoma (10 mm or less) has an excellent prognosis, largely demonstrated, and its management is changed in the last few years, reducing surgical procedure, role of radio iodine ablation (RAI) and TSH suppression. But no effective data are available for follicular thyroid microcarcinoma (mFTC); very few reports and studies are present in literature about mFTC, mainly for its low incidence. Aim of this paper is to review current literature to reach, in absence of evidence, some suggestion in managing mFTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Casaril
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Inama
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Matilde Bacchion
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Verona, Italy
| | - Mihail Creciun
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Verona, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Moretto
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Verona, Italy
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11
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Strain Elastography as a Valuable Diagnosis Tool in Intermediate Cytology (Bethesda III) Thyroid Nodules. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:diagnostics9030119. [PMID: 31540296 PMCID: PMC6787586 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9030119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is considered the gold standard in the diagnostic of thyroid nodules. Using the recommended BETHESDA reporting system, up to 20% of results are classified as intermediate cytology. As there is no consensus whether ultrasound evaluation, lobectomy or surgery is the best treatment option, intermediate cytology results are considered a grey zone of the FNA. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of combined advanced ultrasound techniques in the process of diagnosis and evaluation of the intermediate cytology cases after FNA. We evaluated 54 consecutive cases with intermediate cytology on FNA, using conventional B-mode ultrasound (2B), and strain elastography, using a linear multifrequency 6-13 MHz linear probe (Hitachi Prerius Machine, Hitachi Inc, Japan). All nodules were classified with our Thyroid Imaging Report and Data System (TI-RADS) proposed model, considering: vertical appearance, with antero-posterior diameter bigger than the transvers diameter, the so called taller than wide shape, irregular borders, intranodular inhomogeneity, marked hypoecogenicity, micro calcifications, the presence of suspect lymph nodes, and increased stiffness as suspicious for malignancy. The classification outcomes were compared with the pathology results, considered the gold standard diagnosis. The prevalence of cancer was 28.8%, with 13/45 cases having a clear diagnostic of cancer. Six cases were diagnosed with borderline follicular neoplasia, a category with unclear evolution, also considered as malignant in the analysis of the imaging results. In total, 16/19 cancer cases had increased stiffness on elastography. The cancer prevalence increased with TI-RADS category, being 25% in TI-RADS 4b category and 92.8% in TI-RADS 5 category. The AUROC (Area Under Receiver Operating Curve) of elastography alone, in differentiation of malignant thyroid nodules was 74.9%; the combination of elastographic and conventional ultrasound characteristics generated an even better AUROC, of 84.5%. The combined conventional ultrasound and elastography identified thyroid cancer in cases with intermediate cytology with a sensitivity of 89.5% with a specificity of 50%. High risk thyroid nodules, identified by combined high risk conventional ultrasound characteristics and increased stiffness, on strain elastography, are highly predictive for malignancy, in the intermediate cytology cases.
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12
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de Koster EJ, de Geus-Oei LF, Dekkers OM, van Engen-van Grunsven I, Hamming J, Corssmit EPM, Morreau H, Schepers A, Smit J, Oyen WJG, Vriens D. Diagnostic Utility of Molecular and Imaging Biomarkers in Cytological Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:154-191. [PMID: 29300866 DOI: 10.1210/er.2017-00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Indeterminate thyroid cytology (Bethesda III and IV) corresponds to follicular-patterned benign and malignant lesions, which are particularly difficult to differentiate on cytology alone. As ~25% of these nodules harbor malignancy, diagnostic hemithyroidectomy is still custom. However, advanced preoperative diagnostics are rapidly evolving.This review provides an overview of additional molecular and imaging diagnostics for indeterminate thyroid nodules in a preoperative clinical setting, including considerations regarding cost-effectiveness, availability, and feasibility of combining techniques. Addressed diagnostics include gene mutation analysis, microRNA, immunocytochemistry, ultrasonography, elastosonography, computed tomography, sestamibi scintigraphy, [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.The best rule-out tests for malignancy were the Afirma® gene expression classifier and FDG-PET. The most accurate rule-in test was sole BRAF mutation analysis. No diagnostic had both near-perfect sensitivity and specificity, and estimated cost-effectiveness. Molecular techniques are rapidly advancing. However, given the currently available techniques, a multimodality stepwise approach likely offers the most accurate diagnosis, sequentially applying one sensitive rule-out test and one specific rule-in test. Geographical variations in cytology (e.g., Hürthle cell neoplasms) and tumor genetics strongly influence local test performance and clinical utility. Multidisciplinary collaboration and implementation studies can aid the local decision for one or more eligible diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J de Koster
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lioe-Fee de Geus-Oei
- Department of Radiology, Section of Nuclear Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Olaf M Dekkers
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jaap Hamming
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora P M Corssmit
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Morreau
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Abbey Schepers
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Smit
- Department of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Wim J G Oyen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research, and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dennis Vriens
- Department of Radiology, Section of Nuclear Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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13
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Preliminary study of confounding factors of elastography and the application of fine-needle aspiration in thyroid nodules with indeterminate elastography. Sci Rep 2017; 7:18005. [PMID: 29269830 PMCID: PMC5740129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18121-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate confounding factors of real-time ultrasound elastography (RTE) and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US)-guided FNA for thyroid nodules with indeterminate elastography compared with conventional US. This study included 244 nodules with indeterminate elastography caused by several confounding factors (large or small size, deep location, isthmic or paratracheal location, calcification, thyroiditis, conflicting results between conventional US and RTE), and corresponding prevalences of malignancy were calculated. Additionally, conventional US and US-FNA data were collected and compared. The prevalences of malignancy of confounding factors were 74.1%, 75.0%, 73.3%, 46.2%, 27.3%, and 53.2%, respectively. Sonographic features (border, margin, echogenicity, echohomogeneity, and microcalcification) were significantly different between benign and malignant thyroid nodules (p < 0.05), and most of them exhibited good sensitivity but unsatisfactory specificity and accuracy. While US-FNA exhibited better performance with a sensitivity of 96.9%, a specificity of 99.1% and an accuracy of 98.0% in the diagnosis of malignancy. Given that indeterminate RTE is inevitable with a rather high malignant risk due to several confounding factors, our study revealed that US-FNA was a valuable tool in nodules with indeterminate elastography by increasing the detection rate of thyroid malignancy.
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14
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Trimboli P, Deandrea M, Mormile A, Ceriani L, Garino F, Limone PP, Giovanella L. American Thyroid Association ultrasound system for the initial assessment of thyroid nodules: Use in stratifying the risk of malignancy of indeterminate lesions. Head Neck 2017; 40:722-727. [PMID: 29247582 DOI: 10.1002/hed.25038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ultrasound risk stratification system of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) is frequently adopted in clinical practice. Here, we evaluated its performance in a series of nodules with indeterminate fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) report. METHODS Indeterminate thyroid nodules diagnosed at 2 medical centers were retrospectively screened, ultrasound images were reevaluated, and lesions were classified according to the ATA. Single ultrasound parameters were also analyzed. RESULTS One hundred seventy-three indeterminate lesions were included with 24.8% of malignancy. The high suspicion class showed a cancer rate (75%) significantly (P < .001) higher than that recorded in the other categories (16.8%). Between ultrasound parameters, halo and microcalcifications were the most sensitive and specific ones. The most accurate receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-derived cutoff of nodule's diameter was >4.1 cm. At multivariate analysis, only the ATA class of high suspicion and size >4.1 cm were significantly associated with cancer (odds ratios [ORs] 19.4 and 5.4, respectively). CONCLUSION The ATA ultrasound system is reliable in the risk stratification of indeterminate thyroid lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Maurilio Deandrea
- Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Unit, A.O. Ordine Mauriziano di Torino, "Umberto I" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Alberto Mormile
- Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Unit, A.O. Ordine Mauriziano di Torino, "Umberto I" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Ceriani
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Garino
- Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Unit, A.O. Ordine Mauriziano di Torino, "Umberto I" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo P Limone
- Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Unit, A.O. Ordine Mauriziano di Torino, "Umberto I" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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15
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McQueen AS, Bhatia KS. Head and neck ultrasound: technical advances, novel applications and the role of elastography. Clin Radiol 2017; 73:81-93. [PMID: 28985885 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution ultrasound (US) provides superb anatomical detail in the superficial anatomy of the neck and has become the first-line imaging investigation for neck lumps and a crucial component of clinical pathways. In this article, a wide range of advances in neck US are described with a focus on the emerging role of ultrasound elastography. Selected examples of clinical utility are presented across a spectrum of scenarios with discussion of newer applications, service delivery, and training issues. The changing role of the neck ultrasound practitioner and the future of the technique in the head and neck are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S McQueen
- Department of Radiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK.
| | - K S Bhatia
- Department of Radiology, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
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16
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Grani G, Lamartina L, Ascoli V, Bosco D, Nardi F, D'Ambrosio F, Rubini A, Giacomelli L, Biffoni M, Filetti S, Durante C, Cantisani V. Ultrasonography scoring systems can rule out malignancy in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Endocrine 2017; 57:256-261. [PMID: 27804016 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-1148-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the accuracy and reproducibility of ultrasonography classification systems in characterizing cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. METHODS We retrospectively identified 49 nodules that had been surgically resected owing to features classified as indeterminate according to 2010 Italian Consensus on Thyroid Cytology criteria. Three experienced sonographers independently reviewed original sonographic images of each nodule and classified it using the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines and the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) classification proposed by Korean radiologists; later, images were reviewed jointly to obtain consensus classifications of each nodule. Original cytology slides were similarly reviewed by three experienced cytopathologists, who reclassified the nodule (independently, then jointly) according to revised Italian Consensus on Thyroid Cytology (ICTC-2014) criteria. Consensus ICTC-2014, ATA, and TI-RADS classifications were analyzed against surgical histology reports to estimate each system's sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS Of the 49 indeterminate nodules examined, 30 (61.2 %) were histologically benign. Consensus ICTC-2014 classification correctly classified malignant nodules with positive predictive value of 50 % and negative predictive value of 90 %. Sonographic classification of nodules as intermediate to high suspicion by ATA or TI-RADS category 4c displayed positive predictive value of 63 and 71 %, respectively; positive predictive values dropped to 44 and 42 % when lower positivity thresholds were used (ATA low suspicion, TI-RADS category 4a). Negative predictive values for ATA and TI-RADS were 91 and 74 %, respectively, with higher positivity thresholds and 100 % for both with lower thresholds. All systems displayed appreciable inter-observer variability (Krippendorff alphas: ATA 0.36, TIRADS 0.42, ICTC-2014 0.74). CONCLUSIONS With stringent negativity cut-offs, American Thyroid Association and Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System assessment of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules allows high-confidence exclusion of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Grani
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia Lamartina
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Ascoli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Bosco
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Nardi
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ferdinando D'Ambrosio
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Rubini
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Giacomelli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Biffoni
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Filetti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cosimo Durante
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Vito Cantisani
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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17
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Cho YJ, Ha EJ, Han M, Choi JW. US Elastography Using Carotid Artery Pulsation May Increase the Diagnostic Accuracy for Thyroid Nodules with US-Pathology Discordance. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2017; 43:1587-1595. [PMID: 28528019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of ultrasound elastography (USE) using carotid arterial pulsation and determined the reproducibility of USE for thyroid nodules. A total of 148 patients with 173 thyroid nodules participated. The mean elasticity contrast index (ECI) was significantly higher in malignant nodules (3.1 ± 1.5) than in benign nodules (1.7 ± 0.8) (p < 0.001). When a cut-off ECI value of 3.5 was used, the diagnostic accuracy (78.6%) of gray-scale ultrasound (US) + ECI was the highest compared with that of the gray-scale US (76.9%) and ECI (67.1%). In 16 of 43 nodules (37.2%) with US-pathology, discordance could be correctly reclassified as benign (8 of 11) or malignant (8 of 32). The intra-class correlation coefficient for inter-observer agreement was 0.96, and those for intra-observer agreement were 0.97 and 0.98. Thyroid nodules with ECI values of >3.5 may have an additional value to increase the diagnostic accuracy for nodules with US-pathology discordance with reproducible results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Joo Cho
- Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Wonchon-Dong, Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon, Korea
| | - Eun Ju Ha
- Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Wonchon-Dong, Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon, Korea.
| | - Miran Han
- Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Wonchon-Dong, Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jin Wook Choi
- Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Wonchon-Dong, Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon, Korea
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18
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He YP, Xu HX, Zhao CK, Sun LP, Li XL, Yue WW, Guo LH, Wang D, Ren WW, Wang Q, Qu S. Cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules: increased diagnostic performance with combination of US TI-RADS and a new scoring system. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6906. [PMID: 28761147 PMCID: PMC5537223 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07353-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate the diagnostic performance of combination of ultrasound (US) thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) and a new US scoring system for diagnosing thyroid nodules (TNs) with indeterminate results (Bethesda categories III, IV and V) on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. 453 patients with 453 cytologically indeterminate TNs were included in this study. Multivariate analyses were performed to construct the scoring system. The diagnostic performances of TI-RADS and the combined method were evaluated and compared. Multivariate analyses revealed that marked hypoechogenicity, taller than wide shape and absence of halo sign were independent predictors for malignancy in cytologically indeterminate TNs. Scoring system was thereafter defined as follows: risk score (RS) = 3.2 x (if marked hypoechogenicity) + 2.8 x (if taller than wide shape) + 1.3 x (if absence of halo sign). Compared with TI-RADS alone, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), specificity, accuracy and positive predictive value (PPV) of the combined method increased significantly with 0.731 versus 0.569, 48.5% versus 14.1%, 76.2% versus 62.3%, and 70.9% versus 59.9%, respectively (all P < 0.05). The combination of TI-RADS and new US scoring system showed superior diagnostic performances in predicting malignant TNs with indeterminate FNA cytology results in comparison with TI-RADS alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ping He
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Hui-Xiong Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China. .,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China. .,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Chong-Ke Zhao
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Li-Ping Sun
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Xiao-Long Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Wen-Wen Yue
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Le-Hang Guo
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Wei-Wei Ren
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Qiao Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Shen Qu
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
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19
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Yuan S, Magarik M, Lex AM, Fleischer AC. Clinical applications of sonoelastography. Expert Rev Med Devices 2016; 13:1107-1117. [DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2016.1257938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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20
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Wu Q, Wang Y, Li Y, Hu B, He ZY. Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in solid thyroid nodules with and without enhancement. Endocrine 2016; 53:480-8. [PMID: 26732040 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-015-0850-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate different enhancement patterns of solid thyroid nodules on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and then to evaluate the corresponding diagnostic performance in the differentiation of benign and malignant nodules with and without enhancement. 229 solid thyroid nodules in 196 patients who had undergone both conventional ultrasound and CEUS examinations were classified into enhancement and non-enhancement groups. Besides, different enhancement patterns in the enhancement group were characterised with five indicators including arrival time, mode of entrance, echo intensity, homogeneity, and washout time. Then aforementioned indicators were compared between benign and malignant nodules of different sizes (<10 mm and >10 mm), and diagnostic performance of significant enhancement indicators was calculated. As for the enhancement group, there were statistically significant differences of <10 mm subgroup among three CEUS indicators including arrival time, mode of entrance, and washout time between malignant and benign thyroid nodules (p < 0.05), while all CEUS indicators showed statistically significant differences in the total group and ≥10 mm subgroup (p < 0.05). All the five CEUS indicators displayed better diagnostic performance with specificity (92.86, 92.14, 95.71, 90.71, and 90.71 %, respectively) and diagnostic accuracy (80.79, 79.48, 74.67, 75.11, and 81.66 %, respectively), while the sensitivity and negative predictive value of non-enhancement were 95.51 and 95.83 %, respectively, with an accuracy of 77.29 %. CEUS is a very promising diagnostic technique that could improve the diagnostic accuracy of identifying benign thyroid lesions to spare a large number of patients an unnecessary invasive procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Zhi-Yan He
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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21
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Ianni F, Campanella P, Rota CA, Prete A, Castellino L, Pontecorvi A, Corsello SM. A meta-analysis-derived proposal for a clinical, ultrasonographic, and cytological scoring system to evaluate thyroid nodules: the "CUT" score. Endocrine 2016; 52:313-21. [PMID: 26518189 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-015-0785-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop a new cancer risk score for preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules (TN) trying to reduce unnecessary thyroidectomies. On the basis of a recent meta-analysis of published literature, we assigned a matching value to the clinical (C) and ultrasonographic (U) features of TN with increased malignancy risk (MR). The created "CUT" score derived from "C+U" score, (CU[1-10] ), along with the five-tiered "T" (T[1-5] ), represents the cytologic result of the fine-needle aspiration. The C+U score was prospectively applied to 683 consecutive patients with 705 TN and validated through a ROC curve analysis. The CUT score was correlated with the histopathological diagnoses of 110 surgically resected TN. Fifty-five histologically benign TN had a mean C+U score of 2.4 versus 5.7 of 55 malignant TN (p < 0.001). Three categories were identified: low risk for C+U score ≤2.5 (MR: 9 %), intermediate risk for C+U score ≥2.75 and ≤5 (MR: 38 %), and high risk for C+U score ≥5.25 (MR: 95 %). Sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 95 and 60 % for a cut-off value >2.5, and 69 and 96 % for >5. The "CUT" score can be easily applied, aiding clinicians in the evaluation of TN, especially in cases with indeterminate or repeated non-diagnostic FNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ianni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Campanella
- Unit of Endocrinology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Antonio Rota
- Unit of Endocrinology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Prete
- Unit of Endocrinology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Castellino
- Unit of Endocrinology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Maria Corsello
- Unit of Endocrinology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
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Santhanam P, Khthir R, Gress T, Elkadry A, Olajide O, Yaqub A, Driscoll H. Gene expression classifier for the diagnosis of indeterminate thyroid nodules: a meta-analysis. Med Oncol 2016; 33:14. [PMID: 26749587 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-015-0727-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Prior studies demonstrate that a novel genomic test, the gene expression classifier (GEC), could identify a benign gene expression signature in those nodules with indeterminate cytology with a negative predictive value of greater than 95 %. Examine the performance of the AFIRMA gene expression classifier in predicting benign and malignant nodules in patients with cytologically indeterminate nodules. MEDLINE and EMBASE search for studies meeting eligibility criteria between January 1, 2005, and August 30, 2015. A total of 58 studies identified. After excluding duplicates, case reports, reviews, commentary, insufficient data, a total of seven studies selected for analysis. We combined individual patient data from seven studies that examined the GEC test for indeterminate thyroid nodules. The reference standard for determination of benign or malignant nodules was the histopathology of the thyroidectomy specimen. A QUADAS-2 report for all studies included in the final analysis was tabulated for risk of bias and applicability. The pooled sensitivity of the GEC was 95.7 % (95 % CI 92.2-97.9, I (2) value 45.4 %, p = 0.09), and the pooled specificity was 30.5 % (95 % CI 26.0-35.3, I (2) value 92.1 %, p < 0.01). Overall, the diagnostic odds ratio was 7.9 (95 % CI 4.1-15.1). Patients with benign GEC were not followed long enough to ascertain the actual false-negative rates of the index test. Our meta-analysis revealed a high pooled sensitivity and a low specificity for the AFIRMA-GEC test for indeterminate thyroid nodules. This makes it an excellent tool to rule out malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Santhanam
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Byrd Clinical Center, Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1249 15th Street, Suite 3046, Huntington, WV, 25701, USA.
| | - Rodhan Khthir
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Byrd Clinical Center, Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1249 15th Street, Suite 3046, Huntington, WV, 25701, USA
| | - Todd Gress
- Department of Clinical and Translational Sciences and Department of Internal Medicine, Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, 25701, USA
| | - Ayman Elkadry
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Byrd Clinical Center, Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1249 15th Street, Suite 3046, Huntington, WV, 25701, USA
| | - Omolola Olajide
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Byrd Clinical Center, Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1249 15th Street, Suite 3046, Huntington, WV, 25701, USA
| | - Abid Yaqub
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Henry Driscoll
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Byrd Clinical Center, Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1249 15th Street, Suite 3046, Huntington, WV, 25701, USA
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23
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Cantisani V, Maceroni P, D'Andrea V, Patrizi G, Di Segni M, De Vito C, Grazhdani H, Isidori AM, Giannetta E, Redler A, Frattaroli F, Giacomelli L, Di Rocco G, Catalano C, D'Ambrosio F. Strain ratio ultrasound elastography increases the accuracy of colour-Doppler ultrasound in the evaluation of Thy-3 nodules. A bi-centre university experience. Eur Radiol 2015; 26:1441-9. [PMID: 26337431 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-3956-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess whether ultrasound elastography (USE) with strain ratio increases diagnostic accuracy of Doppler ultrasound in further characterisation of cytologically Thy3 thyroid nodules. METHODS In two different university diagnostic centres, 315 patients with indeterminate cytology (Thy3) in thyroid nodules aspirates were prospectively evaluated with Doppler ultrasound and strain ratio USE before surgery. Ultrasonographic features were analysed separately and together as ultrasound score, to assess sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to identify optimal cut-off value of the strain ratio were also provided. Diagnosis on a surgical specimen was considered the standard of reference. RESULTS Higher strain ratio values were found in malignant nodules, with an optimum strain ratio cut-off of 2.09 at ROC analysis. USE with strain ratio showed 90.6% sensitivity, 93% specificity, 82.8% PPV, 96.4% NPV, while US score yielded a sensitivity of 52.9%, specificity of 84.3%, PPV 55.6% and NPV 82.9%. The diagnostic gain with strain ratio was statistically significant as proved by ROC areas, which was 0.9182 for strain ratio and 0.6864 for US score. CONCLUSIONS USE with strain ratio should be considered a useful additional tool to colour-Doppler US, since it improves characterisation of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. KEY POINTS • Strain ratio measurements improve differentiation of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology • Elastography with strain ratio is more reliable than ultrasound features and ultrasound score • Strain ratio may help to better select patients with Thy 3 nodules candidate for surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Cantisani
- Department of Radiology, Anatomical Pathology and Oncology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Piero Maceroni
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging for Surgery, Orthopaedics and Traumatology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vito D'Andrea
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gregorio Patrizi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Di Segni
- Department of Radiology, Anatomical Pathology and Oncology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado De Vito
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Hektor Grazhdani
- Department of Radiology, Anatomical Pathology and Oncology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Giannetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Redler
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Giacomelli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Di Rocco
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Catalano
- Department of Radiology, Anatomical Pathology and Oncology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ferdinando D'Ambrosio
- Department of Radiology, Anatomical Pathology and Oncology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
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24
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Thyroid nodule ultrasound: technical advances and future horizons. Insights Imaging 2015; 6:173-88. [PMID: 25736837 PMCID: PMC4376820 DOI: 10.1007/s13244-015-0398-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Thyroid nodules are extremely common and the vast majority are non-malignant; therefore the accurate discrimination of a benign lesion from malignancy is challenging. Ultrasound (US) characterisation has become the key component of many thyroid nodule guidelines and is primarily based on the detection of key features by high-resolution US. The thyroid imager should be familiar with the strengths and limitations of this modality and understand the technical factors that create and alter the imaging characteristics. Specific advances in high-resolution US are discussed with reference to individual features of thyroid cancer and benign disease. Potential roles for three-dimensional thyroid ultrasound and computer-aided diagnosis are also considered. The second section provides an overview of current evidence regarding thyroid ultrasound elastography (USE). USE is a novel imaging technique that quantifies tissue elasticity (stiffness) non-invasively and has potential utility because cancers cause tissue stiffening. In recent years, there has been much research into the value of thyroid USE for distinguishing benign and malignant nodules. Preliminary findings from multiple pilot studies and meta-analyses are promising and suggest that USE can augment the anatomical detail provided by high-resolution US. However, a definite role remains controversial and is discussed. TEACHING POINTS • High-resolution US characterises thyroid nodules by demonstration of specific anatomical features • Technical advances heavily influence the key US features of thyroid nodules • Most papillary carcinomas appear stiffer than benign thyroid nodules on US elastography (USE) • Thyroid USE is controversial because of variation in the reported accuracies for malignancy • Combined grey-scale US/USE may lower the FNAC rate in benign nodules.
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