Advanced Ultrasound Techniques for Differentiation of Benign Versus Malignant Thyroid Nodules: A Review

Sandra M Saade-Lemus; Anush Sridharan; Anilawan Smitthimedhin; Andrew Bauer; Anne Marie Cahill; Kassa Darge; Misun Hwang

doi:10.1097/RUQ.0000000000000543

Advanced Ultrasound Techniques for Differentiation of Benign Versus Malignant Thyroid Nodules: A Review

Ultrasound Q. 2021 Dec 1;37(4):315-323. doi: 10.1097/RUQ.0000000000000543.

Authors

Sandra M Saade-Lemus¹, Anush Sridharan¹, Anilawan Smitthimedhin¹, Andrew Bauer², Anne Marie Cahill¹, Kassa Darge¹, Misun Hwang¹

Affiliations

¹ From the Department of Radiology.
² Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.

PMID: 34855707
DOI: 10.1097/RUQ.0000000000000543

Abstract

Grayscale ultrasound (US) is decisive in stratifying which thyroid nodules benefit from fine-needle aspiration to evaluate for malignancy. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of nodules remain indeterminate.Herein, we review the clinical considerations and diagnostic accuracy of advanced US, Doppler US, contrast-enhanced US, and US elastography techniques in the evaluation of indeterminate nodules.We conclude that these techniques may be used in combination with grayscale US to improve the assessment of lesion vascularity and tissue property.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
Humans
Sensitivity and Specificity
Thyroid Neoplasms*
Thyroid Nodule* / diagnostic imaging
Ultrasonography