title: Ultrasound elastography for thyroid nodules: a reliable study?
abstract: The aims were to determine the reliability of ultrasound elastography (USE) and the factors related to reliability. One hundred six solid thyroid nodules in 78 consecutive patients were enrolled. Conventional ultrasound examination and USE were performed for each nodule. We evaluated reliability, the factors affecting reliability of USE and the interobserver and intraobserver agreement. We suggest following three criteria as less reliable results: (1) <50% green color in the region of interest box for the thyroid parenchyma; (2) discordance in elasticity scores in the three USE images; and (3) intranodular color signal loss. Consensual reliability of USE was 68% (72/106). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that rim calcification (p = 0.002), a compressive force of ≥3 (p < 0.001) and arterial pulsation (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with reliability of USE. Substantial interobserver (κ = 0.738) and intraobserver agreement were observed in reliable USE results (κ = 0.765). Clinical application of USE should be restricted to the thyroid nodules with reliable results.
authors: Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jae Kyun
authors: JK
authors: Kim
authors: Jung Hwan
authors: JH
authors: Baek
authors: Jeong Hyun
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Jong Lim
authors: JL
authors: Kim
authors: Eun Ju
authors: EJ
authors: Ha
authors: Tae Yong
authors: TY
authors: Kim
authors: Won
authors: W
authors: Bae Kim
authors: Young Kee
authors: YK
authors: Shong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology