title: What is the contribution of elastography to thyroid nodules evaluation?
abstract: The determination of elasticity index by elastography has been recently proposed in the evaluation of thyroid nodules, since malignancy is correlated with stiffness of the nodules. The aim of this report is to give an overview on different techniques and results reported by eleven groups active on the field. Advantages and limitations of elastography are also discussed. In our opinion, further studies, preferentially multicentric, are necessary before being able to conclude about the place of elastography in thyroid nodules evaluation, versus fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), the gold standard. Indeed, elastography could reduce FNAC or at least allow to select nodule's (or nodular zone's) for aspirations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, La Timone University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France. charles.oliver@ap-hm.fr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaillant-Lombard
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Albarel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berbis
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Veyrières
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sebag
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petit
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology