The value and sensitivity of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography combined with fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules

Abstract

To investigate the value and sensitivity of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) combined with fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. This study enrolled 120 patients with thyroid nodules who visited our hospital between July 2018 and January 2021. All patients underwent CEU and CEUS-guided FNAB. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CEUS-guided FNAB for the qualitative diagnosis of thyroid nodules were significantly higher compared with CEUS only (P < 0.05). The consistency in the diagnostic results was high between CEU-guided FNAB and surgical pathology and moderate between CEU and surgical pathology. The diagnostic coincidence rates of CEUS-guided FNAB were significantly higher than those of CEU only for papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, and medullary carcinoma (P < 0.05). The diagnostic coincidence rates of CEUS-guided FNAB for stages I, II, and III thyroid cancer were significantly higher compared with CEU only (P < 0.05). Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography combined with FNAB improved the sensitivity and accuracy of making a qualitative diagnosis for thyroid nodules. This outcome will not only help to distinguish thyroid cancer from benign ones but can also assist in determining the pathological type and tumor stage of thyroid cancer, thereby presenting good diagnostic value.