Diagnostic performance of gray-scale versus combined gray-scale with colour doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of malignancy in thyroid nodules.
OBJECTIVE
To compare diagnostic performance of gray-scale ultrasound and combined gray-scale ultrasound with color Doppler ultrasound in predicting malignancy of thyroid nodules by using tissue diagnosis as the reference standard.


METHODS
Diagnostic test with prospective data collection.


METHODS
Between November 2007 and October 2008, 31 patients (16 with solitary thyroid nodules and 15 with multiple thyroid nodules) were preoperatively evaluated with gray-scale ultrasound and color Doppler ultrasound. The nodules were classified as benign or malignant according to the established ultrasound criteria and were later compared with histologic findings obtained from surgical specimens. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of gray-scale US and combined gray-scale with color Doppler US were evaluated using histology as the reference.


RESULTS
The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of gray-scale ultrasonography were 80.0%, 84.6%, 50.0% and 95.7%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of preoperative combined gray-scale US with color Doppler ultrasonography were 40.0%, 96.2%, 66.7% and 89.3%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination of gray-scale US with color Doppler US findings improves specificity and PPV in the diagnosis of malignancy in thyroid nodules.
Phuttharak
Warinthorn
W
Department of Radiology, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. pwarin@kku.ac.th
Somboonporn
Charoonsak
C
Hongdomnern
Gatenapa
G
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D055815:Young Adult