Technical feasibility and efficacy of a standard needle magnetization system for ultrasound needle guidance in thyroid nodule-targeting punctures: a phantom study

Abstract

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of an ultrasound needle guidance system (NGS) based on standard needle magnetization in a phantom study in thyroid nodule (TN) targeting puncture.Methods: Six trainees and a staff radiologist performed TN targeting punctures with or without the NGS in phantom models (group 1: experience < 50 cases, group 2: experience ≥ 50 cases and < 100 cases, group 3: experience ≥ 100 cases of TN targeting puncture). The feasibility, technical success rate, number of punctures, and procedure time were recorded. Results:The feasibility of NGS was 98.6% (138/140). In group 1, the technical success rate was increased from 60.0% ± 8.2% to 80.0% ± 8.2% using the NGS (P = 0.046), with a reduction in the number of punctures from 2.2 to 1.2 (P = 0.005). In group 2, the rate was changed from 95.0% ± 5.8% to 100.0% ± 0.0% with the NGS (P = 0.157), with a minimal decrease in the number of punctures from 1.1 to 1.0 (P = 0.157). The procedure time was significantly decreased in both groups (P = 0.041 and P = 0.010, respectively) with the NGS.In group 3, there were no significant differences in the technical success rate and the number of punctures using the NGS (P = 0.317 and P = 0.317, respectively). Conclusion: NGS using standard needle magnetization is technically feasible and has potentialto improve the efficacy of TN targeting puncture for less-experienced operators, especially beginners, in a phantom study.