The comparison of superb microvascular imaging to color and power Doppler flow imaging in the diagnostic value of thyroid nodules

Abstract

Objective To compare the visualization ability for thyroid nodular among superb micro-vascular imaging (SMI), power Doppler flow imaging (PDFI), and color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI), and determine optimal vascular findings for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 58 thyroid nodules from 50 patients were enrolled, including 27 benign nodules (benign group) and 31 malignant nodules (malignant group). Vascular patterns of these nodules were detected by SMI, PDFI and CDFI, respectively. Results Thyroid cancer was characterized by type III vascular pattern. Only central vascularity performed best in detecting thyroid cancers. When using the criterion, SMI performed a better specificity (96.3%) and sensitivity (77.4%) than PDFI (92.5%, 41.9%) and CDFI (88.9%, 48.3%); and the specificity of SMI was significantly higher than the others (all P<0.01). Conclusions The sign of only central is of value in distinguishing malignant thyroid nodules. SMI is better on presenting thyroid nodular than CDFI and PDFI, and it could be used to differentiate thyroid nodules. Key words: Ultrasonography; Thyroid nodule; Superb microvascular imaging; Vascularity; Vascular pattern