ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the value of the application of ultrasonic elastography and ultrasound contrast imaging on thyroid microcarcinoma(TMC). Methods The in-patients with thyroid lesions admitted in the Second People's Hospital of Foshan City from January 2013 to April 2014 were enrolled. Two-dimensional ultrasonography was used to screen the 162 solid thyroid nodules with a diameter ≤10 mm;they were examined by ultrasonic elastography and ultrasound contrast imaging respectively,and the result of pathological examination was regarded as the golden standard to compare the sensitivity and specificity between ultrasonic elastography and ultrasound contrast imaging for the diagnosis of TMC. Results The pathological results showed there were benign nodules 118 and malignant nodules 44 in number. The sensitivity,specificity,incidence of accuracy,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the diagnosis of TMC by ultrasonic elasticity imaging,ultrasound imaging,and elasticity imaging combined with ultrasound imaging were much higher than those by two-dimensional ultrasonography〔sensitivity:88.64%(39/44),90.91%(40/44),95.45%(42/44)vs. 81.82%(36/44);specificity:91.53%(108/118),92.37%(109/118),95.76%(113/118)vs. 85.59%(101/118);accuracy:90.74%(147/162), 91.97%(149/162),93.26%(151/162)vs. 84.56(137/162);positive predictive value:79.59%(39/49),81.63%(40/49),83.67%(41/49)vs. 67.92%(36/53);negative predictive value:95.58%(108/113),96.46%(109/113), 97.35%(110/113)vs. 92.66%(101/109),all P<0.05〕. Conclusion For the diagnosis of TMC,both ultrasonic elastography and ultrasound contrast imaging have rather high value,and when they are combined together to be applied for the diagnosis,the result is the best.