The value of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) scoring assignment method in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules by conventional ultrasound.

Abstract

To explore the application value of SMI scoring assignment method combined with 2017 American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. According to the 2017 ACR TI-RADS classification, the enrolled nodules were divided into 3 points group, 4 points group, 5 points group, 6 points group and≥7 points group. The nodules were assigned scores according to the echocity of the nodules and the microvessels detected by SMI and their distribution patterns based on ACR TI-RADS. Accompany with the scores increased or decreased after assignment, the thyroid nodules were re-grouped. The AUC after the scores assignment is better than before (Z = 3.881, P < 0.001). The specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy after score assigned are better than those of before (Z = 8.323, P < 0.001; Z = 8.619, P < 0.001; Z = 5.345, P < 0.001), there is no statistical difference in sensitivity before and after score assigned (Z = -0.513, P = 0.60), and the negative predictive value before assigned score is better than that of after (Z = -3.826, P < 0.001). The diagnostic efficacy after scoring was better than that of before.