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Bojunga J, Trimboli P. Thyroid ultrasound and its ancillary techniques. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2024; 25:161-173. [PMID: 37946091 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-023-09841-1] [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] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) of the thyroid has been used as a diagnostic tool since the late 1960s. US is the most important imaging tool for diagnosing thyroid disease. In the majority of cases a correct diagnosis can already be made in synopsis of the sonographic together with clinical findings and basal thyroid hormone parameters. However, the characterization of thyroid nodules by US remains challenging. The introduction of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (TIRADSs) has improved diagnostic accuracy of thyroid cancer significantly. Newer techniques such as elastography, superb microvascular imaging (SMI), contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and multiparametric ultrasound (MPUS) expand diagnostic options and tools further. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising tool to improve and simplify diagnostics of thyroid nodules and there is evidence that AI can exceed the performance of humans. Combining different US techniques with the introduction of new software, the use of AI, FNB as well as molecular markers might pave the way for a completely new area of diagnostic accuracy in thyroid disease. Finally, interventional ultrasound using US-guided thermal ablation (TA) procedures are increasingly proposed as therapy options for benign as well as malignant thyroid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Bojunga
- Department of Medicine I, Goethe University Hospital, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt am Main, 60590, Germany.
| | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Servizio di Endocrinologia e Diabetologia, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland
- Facoltà di Scienze Biomediche, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
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Petersen M, Klemenz B, Schenke SA. [Elastography in thyroid nodules]. Laryngorhinootologie 2023; 102:839-849. [PMID: 37918385 DOI: 10.1055/a-2144-4176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elastography is an imaging method to examine the elasticity of tissue. In the meantime, various elastography methods have been developed, which are subdivided according to the type of stimulus applied. In principle, a distinction should be made between strain elastography (SE) and shear wave elastography (SWE). Both methods provide another means of assessing thyroid disease in addition to conventional B-mode sonography. OBJECTIVE The aim is to provide an overview of elastography techniques including physical basics and their importance in the clarification algorithm of thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS International guidelines and recent publications on elastography were selectively assessed. RESULTS Elastography provides additional information compared to conventional B-mode sonography. The change in shear stiffness is the essential physical mechanism for tissue contrast in all elastograms. In addition to the qualitative assessment of elasticity in SE, quantification is possible with SWE. In the international literature, elastography was analyzed as a single method or in comparison or combination with conventional B-mode sonography and especially with standardization using a risk stratification system (RSS, TIRADS). The results are quite controversial. In nodules with unclear findings on fine-needle biopsy (Bethesda III/IV), the combination of morphologic criteria and elastography improved diagnostic accuracy. In particular, the high negative predictive value of soft nodules represents a relevant added value. This strength of the method can play an important role in the clarification of nodules with intermediate malignancy risk or of unclear FNB results. Elastography has previously only been incorporated into French-TIRADS. Although the procedure is mentioned in the EU-TIRADS as a complementary method, integration has not been described. Limitations of the method are idealized basic assumptions, dependence of manufacturer and examiner, and artifacts. CONCLUSION Elastography can be a useful adjunct to standard diagnostic procedures in the evaluation of thyroid nodules, especially in nodules with intermediate risk of malignancy and unclear results on fine needle aspiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Petersen
- Arbeitsbereich Gefäßchirurgie, Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Gefäß- und Transplantationschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg A.ö.R., Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Burkhard Klemenz
- Klinik für Nuklearmedizin, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland
| | - Simone A Schenke
- Klinik und Institut für Nuklearmedizin, Klinikum Bayreuth GmbH, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bereich Nuklearmedizin, Universitätsklinik für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg
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Qiu Y, Xing Z, Yang Q, Luo Y, Ma B. Diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20654. [PMID: 37842563 PMCID: PMC10570586 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Thyroid nodules classified as indeterminate in previous fine-needle aspiration cytology often necessitate additional evaluation to determine their histology, while shear wave elastography (SWE) offers an alternative option in this regard. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic effectiveness of SWE in evaluating indeterminate nodules. Methods The PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched from 1st January 1970 to 1st March 2023. The studies were reviewed and the data was extracted by two separate reviewers. A Bayesian bivariate model was utilized to quantitatively synthesize the diagnostic accuracy and yield of the studies in R. Results A total of seven studies, involving indeterminate thyroid nodules undergoing SWE were included, and the overall malignancy rate was 34.1% (307/900). The summarized estimates of sensitivity and specificity were 0.792 (95% credible interval [CI], 0.727-0.850) and 0.845 (95% CI, 0.797-0.887), respectively. The summarized estimate for the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 17.8 (95% CI, 14.0-22.6). Summarized receiver operating characteristic (SROC) plots indicated a trade-off between sensitivity and specificity, and the estimate of AUC was 0.866 (95% CI, 0.834-0.895). The summary estimates for positive and negative likelihood ratios were 4.67 (95% CI, 3.98-5.85) and 0.26 (95% CI, 0.23-0.28), respectively. Conclusions The overall accuracy of SWE remains satisfactory in indeterminate thyroid nodules. However, it should be noted that the available data are still extremely limited, and more studies or guidelines are required to provide further insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Qiu
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhichao Xing
- Department of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qianru Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Buyun Ma
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Combined Shear Wave Elastography and EU TIRADS in Differentiating Malignant and Benign Thyroid Nodules. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225521. [PMID: 36428614 PMCID: PMC9688054 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although multimodal ultrasound approaches have been suggested to potentially improve the diagnosis of thyroid cancer; the diagnostic utility of the combination of SWE and malignancy-risk stratification systems remains vague due to the lack of standardized criteria. The purpose of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of the combination of grey scale ultrasound assessment using EU TIRADS and shear wave elastography. 121 patients (126 nodules−81 benign; 45 malignant) underwent grey scale ultrasound and SWE imaging of nodules between 0.5 cm and 5 cm prior to biopsy and/or surgery. Nodules were analyzed based on size stratifications: <1 cm (n = 43); 1−2 cm (n = 52) and >2 cm (n = 31) and equivocal cytology status (n = 52), and diagnostic performance assessments were conducted. The combination of EU TIRADS with SWE using the SD parameter; maintained a high sensitivity and significantly improved the specificity of sole EU TIRADS for nodules 1−2 cm (SEN: 72.2% vs. 88.9%, p > 0.05; SPEC: 76.5% vs. 55.9%, p < 0.01) and >2 cm (SEN: 71.4% vs. 85.7%, p > 0.05; SPEC: 95.8% vs. 62.5%, p < 0.01). For cytologically-equivocal nodules; the combination with the SWE minimum parameter resulted in a significant reduction in sensitivity with increased specificity (SEN: 60% vs. 80%; SPEC: 83.4% vs. 37.8%; all p < 0.05). SWE in combination with EU TIRADS is diagnostically efficient in discriminating nodules > 1 cm but is not ideal for discriminating cytologically-equivocal nodules.
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Hu L, Liu X, Pei C, Xie L, He N. Assessment of perinodular stiffness in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules. Endocr Connect 2021; 10:492-501. [PMID: 33878732 PMCID: PMC8183623 DOI: 10.1530/ec-21-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of perinodular stiffness, four risk stratification systems (RSSs) (KWAK-TIRADS, ACR-TIRADS, EU-TIRADS, and C-TIRADS), and the combination of perinodular stiffness and the four RSSs in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules (TNs). METHODS A total of 788 TNs in 726 patients were examined with conventional ultrasound (US) examination and sound touch elastography (STE). All TNs were classified by each of the four RSSs. The stiffness inside (E) the TNs was measured by STE. The stiffness of the 2.0-mm perinodular region (Eshell) was measured with the Shell measurement function of STE. The diagnostic performances of four RSSs, the E values, and the Eshell values were evaluated. All TNs were further divided into subgroups based on size (≤ 10 mm group and > 10 mm group). RESULTS Ninety-six TNs were classified as benign and 692 as malignant. Among the single-method approaches, ACR-TIRADS showed the highest AUC (0.77) for differentiating malignant from benign TNs for all TNs included. Eshell showed the highest AUC (0.75) in differentiating malignant from benign TNs for TNs with sizes ≤ 10 mm, and there were no significant differences in AUC among all single methods for diagnosis of TNs with sizes > 10 mm (P > 0.05). The combination of C-TIRADS and Eshell/E yielded the highest AUC for all TNs (0.83) and for TNs with size ≤ 10 mm (0.85) compared with other combinations. CONCLUSIONS Eshell/E combined with conventional US improves the diagnostic accuracy in TNs and may reduce unnecessary fine-needle aspiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Hu
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chong Pei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Hefei City, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Li Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Nianan He
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to Nianan He:
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Adamczewski Z, Stasiak M, Stasiak B, Adamczewska M, Lewiński A. Interobserver Agreement and Plane-Dependent Intraobserver Variability of Shear Wave Sonoelastography in the Differential Diagnosis of Ectopic Thymus Tissue. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10020214. [PMID: 33435276 PMCID: PMC7827397 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Shear wave elastography (SWE) has been demonstrated to be a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of ectopic thymus tissues (ETs), providing quantitative values of the shear wave stiffness (SWS) of both ETs and adjacent thyroid tissue. However, no data are available on the potential influence of the imaging plane (transverse vs. longitudinal) on the obtained SWS and shear wave ratio (SWR) values in SWE of these tissues. Moreover, no reports on the interobserver repeatability of SWE were published in regard to ETs. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the potential influence of the examination plane—transverse vs. longitudinal—on the SWS and SWR results, as well as to determine whether SWE of ETs is subjected to interobserver variability. SWE was demonstrated to have high inter- and intraobserver agreement in the evaluation of ETs and adjacent thyroid tissue. Significant differences between SWS values, but not SWR values, obtained in the transverse and longitudinal planes were observed. This phenomenon is probably a result of anisotropy-related artifacts and does not reduce the reliability of the method. SWE operators should be aware of the presence of plane-dependent artifacts to properly interpret the obtained results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Adamczewski
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (Z.A.); (M.S.)
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Stasiak
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (Z.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Bartłomiej Stasiak
- Institute of Information Technology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Adamczewska
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Lewiński
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (Z.A.); (M.S.)
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-271–11-42
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Stasiak M, Adamczewski Z, Stawerska R, Stasiak B, Lewiński A. Application of Shear Wave Sonoelastography in the Differential Diagnosis of Extra- and Intra-Thyroidal Ectopic Thymic Tissue. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9123816. [PMID: 33255780 PMCID: PMC7761517 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9123816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The ultrasound (US) pattern of intrathyroidal ectopic thymus (IET) can resemble papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) while the extrathyroidal ectopic thymus (EET) can mimic pathological lymph nodes. Recently, the usefulness of strain elastography (SE) was demonstrated in the differential diagnosis, however this method has several limitations. The aim of the current study was to assess the usefulness of shear wave elastography (SWE) in this field. The US, SE, and SWE were performed in 31 children with 53 ectopic thymuses (ETs) and quantitative values of SWE parameters were calculated, so as to generate potential normative values of ET elasticity and of the shear wave ratio (SWR). The mean SWRIET was 0.89 ± 0.21 and the mean shear wave stiffness (SWS) was 7.47 ± 1.93 kPa. The mean SWREET was 0.84 ± 0.15 and the mean SWSEET was 11.28 ± 2.58 kPa. The results have proven that the stiffness of ETs is lower or equal to the thyroid’s. SWE was demonstrated to be a useful diagnostic method for ET evaluation. Therefore, the application of SWE in ET diagnosis allows more accurate evaluation of ET-like lesions and, in many cases, allows one to avoid invasive procedures, simultaneously providing a precise monitoring method based on combined US and SWE evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Stasiak
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital—Research Institute, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (Z.A.); (R.S.)
| | - Zbigniew Adamczewski
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital—Research Institute, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (Z.A.); (R.S.)
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Renata Stawerska
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital—Research Institute, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (Z.A.); (R.S.)
- Department of Paediatic Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Stasiak
- Institute of Information Technology, Lodz University of Technology, 215 Wolczanska St., 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Lewiński
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital—Research Institute, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (Z.A.); (R.S.)
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-271-11-42
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