Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging And Quantification Evaluation Of Thyroid Nodules Under Different Ultrasonic Image Classification

Objectives:To investigate the diagnostic performance of a 2-dimensional shear wave elastographic technique for predicting thyroid malignancy under different types of ultrasound images.Methods:A total of 113 thyroid nodules underwent conventional sonography and VTIQ before fine needle aspiration cytology.Compared with cytological results,the diagnostic performance of various shear wave speed(SWS)indices(minimum [SWSmin],maximum [SWSmax],mean [SWSmean] and median [SWSmedian])on VTIQ for predicting thyroid malignancy was evaluated in all of the nodules under different types of ultrasound image groups.Results:Fifty-five malignant and 58 benign thyroid nodules were cytologically confirmed.All SWS indices on VTIQ were lower in benign nodules than thyroid malignancy(all P<0.05).By applying a cutoff SWSmean value of 2.82 m/s,VTIQ achieved sensitivity and specificity values of 52.7% and 74.1%,respectively,for differentiating nodules.In different types of ultrasound images,the SWS values of the benign and malignant nodules were significantly different in the nodule size ≥10mm group and the aspect taller-than-wide shape group(all P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in SWS values between the coarse calcified plaque group and the non-calcified group.There was no statistical difference in SWS values between the coarse calcified plaque group and the spotted calcification group.Conclusions:VTIQ has a role in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.By classifying the nodules and applying different cutoff values,the diagnostic efficiency can be improved.The average shear wave velocity(SWSmean)of thyroid nodules is more representative of its benign or malignant.There was no significant difference in various SWS indices of thyroid nodules under different calcification modes.