The effectiveness of shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of PTMC

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Shang, Haitao | Wu, Bolin | Liu, Zhao | Liu, Ying | Cheng, Wen^*

Affiliations: Department of Ultrasound, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Wen Cheng, Department of Ultrasound, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China. Tel.: +86 13313677182; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The present study explored the efficiency of shear wave elastography (SWE) in diagnosing papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). METHODS: This retrospective study constituted of 446 patients with 510 thyroid nodules. SWE values and ultrasound parameters of each nodule were used for comparison and analysis. RESULTS: The ultrasonography findings between malignant and benign nodules differed significantly (P< 0.05). The benign and PTMC nodule groups showed a remarkable difference in the stiffness, i.e., higher SWE values. CONCLUSION: SWE is useful in diagnosing micro thyroid nodules, and the values were significantly correlated with tumor size and thyroid capsule invasion of PTMC.

Keywords: Shear wave elastography, ultrasound, thyroid nodules, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

DOI: 10.3233/THC-191895

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 221-226, 2020