Diagnostic value of qualitative and quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for differentiating thyroid carcinoma nodules from benign thyroid nodules

Abstract

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of qualitative and quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for differentiating thyroid carcinoma nodules and benign thyroid nodules. Method The qualitative and quantitative CEUS parameters of 290 thyroid nodules confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively. The evaluation indexes included wash in, wash out, enhancement degree, enhancement homogeneity, morphology after angiography, and ring enhancement. Results Malignant nodules had an unclear margin, uneven perfusion, and low perfusion (all p < 0.05). The internal peak of malignant nodules was lower than that of benign nodules, the TP at the outer edge of malignant nodules was higher than that of benign nodules, the sharpness at the outer edge of malignant nodules was lower than that of benign nodules, and the AUC at the outer edge of malignant nodules was lower than that of benign nodules (all p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that internal peak and external sharpness were independent risk factors for the diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and benign thyroid nodules. Conclusion The qualitative and quantitative analysis of CEUS can provide valuable information for the differential diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and benign thyroid nodules.