Comparison analysis between conventional ultrasonography and ultrasound elastography of thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of conventional ultrasonography and ultrasound elastography in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodular diseases.

METHODS

244 patients with 291 thyroid nodules were examined by ultrasonography and ultrasound elastography respectively; the examination results were compared against pathological findings to determine the effectiveness of these two examination methods.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and positive predictive value of conventional ultrasonography is higher than those of ultrasound elastography, but its specificity, accuracy, and negative predictive value is lower than those of the later.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound elastography is superior to conventional ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. However, ultrasonography is the basis of examination; only on this basis, an additional ultrasound elastography examination could greatly improve the diagnostic rate of thyroid nodular diseases.