Characterization of single thyroid nodules by contrast-enhanced 3-D ultrasound.
High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) has potentialities in differential diagnosis between malignant and benign thyroid lesions, but interpretative pitfalls remain and accuracy is still poor. We developed an image processing technique for characterizing the intra-nodular vascularization of thyroid lesions. Twenty nodules (10 malignant) were analyzed by three-dimensional (3-D) contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. The 3-D volumes were preprocessed and skeletonized. Seven vascular parameters were computed on the skeletons: number of vascular trees (NT); vascular density (VD); number of branching nodes (or branching points) (NB); mean vessel radius (MR); 2-D (DM) and 3-D (SOAM) tortuosity; and inflection count metric (ICM). Results showed that the malignant nodules had higher values of NT (83.1 vs. 18.1), VD (00.4 vs. 0.01), NB (1453 vs. 552), DM (51 vs. 18), ICM (19.9 vs. 8.7) and SOAM (26 vs. 11). Quantification of nodular vascularization based on 3-D contrast-enhanced ultrasound and skeletonization could help differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions.
Molinari
Filippo
F
Department of Electronics, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy. filippo.molinari@polito.it
Mantovani
Alice
A
Deandrea
Maurilio
M
Limone
Paolo
P
Garberoglio
Roberto
R
Suri
Jasjit S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D045423:Microbubbles; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride