Taller-than-wide sign in diagnosing thyroid microcarcinoma using ultrasound / 肿瘤

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of "taller-than-wide sign" on ultrasound image in diagnosing thyroid nodules which diameter is 1 0 mm or less. Methods: The data of 208 patients with 232 thyroid nodules were retrospectively analyzed. The number of nodules and anteroposterior/transverse diameter ratio were recorded. Taking the pathological results as gold standard, the application value of taller-than-wide sign in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules which diameter was 10 mm or less was assessed. Results: There were significant differences in the aspect of taller-thanwide sign (anteroposterior/transverse diameter ratio ≥1) among thyroid nodules with different sizes. With the increase in volume, the detection rate of thyroid microcarcinoma was also increased. Benign thyroid nodules took a large proportion of thyroid nodules which diameter was 4 mm or less with taller-than-wide sign, while the proportion of thyroid microcarcinoma was increased significantly in thyroid nodules which diameter was larger than 4 mm with taller-than-wide sign. Conclusion: Taller-than-wide sign can help to identify benign and malignant thyroid nodules which diameter is 10 mm or less.