Experiences of Intrinsic Compression Ultrasound Elastography (E-ThyroidTM) in Differentiating Benign From Malignant Thyroid Nodule

A thyroid nodule is a very common condition which can be found among 40 to 50% of general population on ultrasound. Identification of thyroid cancer cells through fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a gold standard for diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Among all thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer occupied five to ten percent, and thus a large number of patients, even with benign thyroid nodules, are recommended to take FNA. Although suspicious US findings can differentiate malignant nodule from benign with fair to good sensitivity and specificity, their high inter-observer variability prevents accurate diagnosis of thyroid cancer and they depend heavily on users’ own experiences. Current practice especially recommends FNA if a patient is present with a calcified nodule, whether microcalcification or macrocalcification, after US examination. Thus, a non-invasive tool with high specificity is needed and should be added to routine ultrasound examination to improve diagnostic accuracy in thyroid nodule and reduce the number of unnecessary FNA. Ultrasound elastography (USE) is an emerging non-invasive diagnostic tool based on differences of stiffness between malignant and benign lesions. Cancer shows changes of extracellular matrix with increased stiffness, which makes nodule less elastic than normal or benign lesions.1 Experiences of Intrinsic Compression Ultrasound Elastography (E-ThyroidTM) in Differentiating Benign From Malignant Thyroid Nodule Article # WP201504-E-ThyroidTM / Issue Date 30 April , 2015