Value Of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound In The Differential Diagnosis Of Thyroid Nodules

Objective:To investigate the perfusion and enhancement pattern of thyroid nodules by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, with the quantificational analysis software of QontraXt, and to discuss the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in the thyroid nodules.Methods:Twenty-eight cases with 28 thyroid masses were examined by two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography before operation.Following the contrast-enhanced ultrasound, we observed the beginning of contrast agent enhancement, the peak and dissipation as a whole, The enhancement of the thyroid nodules were characterized from five aspects, including margin,shape,pattern and the proportion of enhancement. Analyzed the time-intensity curve with Qontraxt software. The curve by fitting gama offered the perfusion parameters:the peak of the signal intensity, the time-to-peak, the sharpness of time-intensity curve, the area under the curve.These data were compared with the histologic findings.Results:â‘ Most nodular goiter cases showed margin clear, shape regular,hypoenhancement or hyperenhancement,few cases showed isoenhancement.â‘¡most thyroid cancer showed margin unclear, shape irregular,iso-or hypoenhancement.â‘¢Patterns of enhancement between benign and malignant nodules has no statistical significance(P>0.05),overlapping findings had seemed.â‘£The peak of the signal intensity in thyroid benign nodules were lower than the adjacent thyroid parenchyma, and the difference has statistical significance (P<0.05). The time-to-peak in the malignant nodules were shorter than this of the adjacent thyroid parenchyma, the sharpness of time-intensity curve and the area under the curve within the malignant nodules were higher than those of the adjacent thyroid parenchyma, and the difference has statistical significance (P< 0.05).The time-to-peak in the malignant nodules were shorter than thyroid benign nodules, The sharpness of time-intensity curve and the area under the curve were higher than thyroid benign nodules, and the difference has statistical significance (P<0.05)Conclusions:The data of this study suggested that up to now overlapping findings had seemed in the characteristics of the solitary thyroid nodule dynamic enhanced patterns. However, it is closely related to the pathophysioligy of nodules. It can Provide efficient and supplemental information; it helps advanced the veracity of differential diagnosis of the thyroid nodule.