Role of duplex power doppler ultrasound in differentiation between malignant and benign thyroid nodules

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Date

2010-11

Authors

Algın, Oktay
Algın, Efnan

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Korean Radiological Society

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the usage of duplex power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) for the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: We prospectively examined 77 thyroid nodules in 60 patients undergoing ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Each nodule was described according to size, inner structure, borders, parenchymal echogenicity, peripheral halo formation, and the presence of calcification (B-mode ultrasound findings). Vascularity as determined by PDUS imaging was defined as non-vascular, peripheral, central, or of mixed type. For each nodule, the pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) values were obtained. Results of FNAB and surgical pathological examination (if available) were used as a proof of final diagnosis to categorize all nodules as benign or malignant. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to establish cut-off, sensitivity, and specificity values associated with RI-PI values. Results: A significant relationship was observed between malignancy and irregular margins, microcalcifications, and hypoechogenicity on ultrasound examination (p < 0.05). The pattern of vascularity as determined by PDUS analysis was not a statistically significant criterion to suggest benign or malignant disease in this study (p > 0.05). The central, peripheral, and mean RI-PI values were higher in malignant nodules when compared to the other cytologies (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Vascularity is not a useful parameter for distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules. However, RI and PI values are useful in distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules.

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Keywords

Thyroid cancer, Thyroid nodules, Power doppler ultrasonography, RI, PI, Needle-aspiration-cytology, Predictive-value, Sonographic criteria, Iodine intake, US, Risk, Ultrasonography, Diognasis, Prevalence, Parameters, Radiology, nuclear medicine & medical imaging

Citation

Algın, O. vd. (2010). "Role of duplex power doppler ultrasound in differentiation between malignant and benign thyroid nodules". Korean Journal of Radiology, 11(6), 594-602.