Diagnostic value for the fine needle aspiration biopsy and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in thyroid imaging reported and data system Grade 4 nodules

Abstract

To study the clinical application value of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) in the diagnosis of thyroid imaging reported and data system Grade 4 (TI-RADS 4) nodules. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 134 patients with thyroid nodules surgery were selected, and their results of preoperative color Doppler ultrasonography were TI-RADS 4. The data of US-FNAB and CEU before operation and the results of pathological section after operation were collected. The pathological results were taken as the gold standard, and the specimens obtained by US-FNAB puncture were used for HE staining and cytological diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and the cost were calculated for CEU and US-FNAB, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of the 2 methods was compared. Results: Of 134 thyroid nodules, there were 131 malignant nodules (97.76%) and 3 benign ones (2.24%). The sensitivity of US-FNAB and CEU were 87.02% and 93.89% respectively. The specificity of US-FNAB and CEU were 100.00% and 66.67%. The accuracy of US-FNAB and CEU were 87.31% and 93.28% respectively. Comparisons of the diagnostic accuracy were performed by χ2 test. There was no significant difference in sensitivity between CEU and US-FNAB (P>0.05). However, the sensitivity of US-FNAB and CEU were 87.50% and 100.00%, respectively, when the maximum diameter of nodule was less than 10 mm, and there was statistical significance (P<0.05). The sensitivity of US-FNAB and CEU were 92.73% and 85.45%, respectively, when the maximum diameter of nodule was more than 10 mm, and there was no statistical significance (P>0.05). The cost and risk of US-FNAB was higher than those of CEU. Conclusion: The sensitivity of US-FNAB is higher than that of CEU for thyroid nodules with the diameter larger than 10 mm. With high detection rate, good safety and low cost, CEU can still be used for thyroid nodules with the diameter less than 10 mm, which is diagnosed as negative nodules by US-FNAB.