| Objective: To evaluate the associations between the BRAFV600 E mutation and conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic features in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)and investigate the clinical value of these associations.Methods: In total,207 thyroid nodules(diameter?2 cm)were selected.Conventional ultrasound,contrast-enhanced ultrasound,BRAFV600 E mutational analysis and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy were preoperatively performed,and histopathological assessment of PTC was postoperatively confirmed.According to the results of BRAFV600 E mutational detection,the nodules were divided into two groups with mutant and wild-type BRAF genes,and correlation analyses of ultrasonographic features between the two groups were conducted.Results: Overall,74.8%(155/207)of PTC nodules had the BRAFV600 E mutation,and 25.1%(52/207)had wild-type BRAF.The two groups were analyzed by the univariate logistic regression analysis,which demonstrated no significant differences regarding morphology,boundary,hypoechogenicity of nodules,blood flow signal,enhancement uniformity,enhancement degree and clearance time(P>0.05).Moreover,the two groups demonstrated significant differences regarding the aspect ratio,microcalcification,nodule size after enhancement,enhancement mode and enhancement time(P<0.05).A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to further validate the correlation of these features with BRAF mutations;however,only microcalcification(odds ratio(OR)=2.256,95% confidence interval(CI)=1.160~5.500,P=0.020)and nodule size after enhancement(OR=2.119,95% CI=1.039~4.321,P=0.039)were correlated with the BRAF mutational status.Conclusions: The BRAFV600 E mutation was associated with microcalcification and nodule size after enhancement,indicating that these ultrasonographic features can predict the BRAF mutational status to provide a reliable basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. |
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