title: Correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic features with microvessel density in papillary thyroid carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic (CEUS) features with microvessel density (MVD) in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was performed in 62 patients (17 men and 45 women) with PTC. Tomtec software was applied to analyze the time intensity curve of CEUS. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the level of MVD in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Then the relationship between quantitative feature and the level of MVD was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean peak intensity of PTC tissues was lower than that of peripheral thyroid parenchyma (61.9 ± 11.8% vs 100%, p < 0.05). The MVDs of CD34 and CD31 antibodies staining were 38.0 ± 6.1 and 37.9 ± 5.1 respectively in 62 PTC samples. A significantly positive correlation was observed between peak intensity and MVD in PTC tissues (PCD34 < 0.01, rCD34 = 0.838, PCD31 < 0.01, rCD31 = 0.837).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The peak intensity in CEUS could reflect the MVD in PTC tissues. Therefore, quantification of CEUS seems to be helpful for assessment of MVD in PTC tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China E-mail : qiqzhou@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jue
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.forename: Hong-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wen-Qi
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yong-Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D003287:Contrast Media; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1