Evaluation Of Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography Combined With Ultrasound Elastography In Diagnosis Of Thyroid Nodules

Objective: To investigate the Evaluation of contrast enhanced ultrasonography combined with ultrasound elastography in diagnosis of thyroid nodules,and search the best imaging method for the early differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.Methods: 50 patients with thyroid nodules were chosen from November 2013 to December 2014 at Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University whom undergoing thyroid operation. Record all the patients’ general condition and symptoms,signsand other clinical data in detail. First, examined patients by conventional and color Doppler ultrasound to get the best sections of the lesionsand and record the location、size、number 、internal echo and the interior blood-flow circumstances of the masses, to make an early diagnosis.Then switched to the ultrasound elastography mode. Frozen storage figure when obtain more accurate elastic image, to observe the nodules shown in the color difference in elastic image and made elastic classification. Then switched to the contrast mode. Injected SONOVUE2.4ml by cubital vein,then 5ml of saline bolus.Observed the dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound progress and record 3mins. Downloaded all the pictures and progresses to be analyzed. Observed the contrast enhancement patterns of thyroid nodule.Selected the parts for lesions and normal tissue around as ROI area, got the time-intensity curves(TIC) and imaging parameters imaging figure through the software analysis,to observe the amount of contrast agent in and out of the lesions, the speed and form. Made an ultrasonic imaging diagnosis. Patients were followed up timely.And the CEUS results were compared with the postoperative pathological findings. and statistically analyzed all the results.Results: 1. 28 cases of 50 patients with thyroid nodules were benign. The elasticity imaging score were most in the three points and the following, and the elasticity imaging figure is given priority to with yellow-green.The CEUS characteristics mainly performance ring enhancement and homogeneous enhancement, Time-intensity curves of this group mainly displayed “fast washin and slow washout” type,and the parameters of the imaging figure colour also were single2. There were 22 mailgnant cases in 50 patients with thyroid nodules. The elasticity imaging score more than four points and above,and the elasticity imaging figure is given priority to with blue. The CEUS characteristics mainly performanced heterogeneous enhancement and non-enhanced enhancement, the time-intensity curves of this group mainly displayed “slow Washin and fast washout” type. and the parameter imaging pictures were colorful.3. The accuracy of Contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined elastic imaging in thyroid nodule diagnosis was 94.0%, which was higher than the single ultrasonic elastography(80.0%) or single contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(76.0%). And the difference was statistically significant(P< 0. 05).Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined elastic imaging can enhance the correct rate of diagnosing benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Provide reliable basis for the qualitative diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules from the aspects of lesion of microvascular perfusion and tissue hardness localization.To improve the detection rate of the benign and malignant thyroid nodules,serving the clinical diagnosis and treatment.