title: Strain US Elastography for the Characterization of Thyroid Nodules: Advantages and Limitation.
abstract: Thyroid nodules, with their high prevalence in the general population, represent a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Ultrasound (US), although absolutely reliable in detecting thyroid nodules, is still not accurate enough to differentiate them into benign and malignant. A promising novel modality, US elastography, has been introduced in order to further increase US accuracy. The purpose of this review article is to assess the thyroid application of US strain elastography, also known as real-time elastography or quasistatic elastography. We provide a presentation of the technique, and of up-to-date literature, analyzing the most prominent results reported for thyroid nodules differentiation. The practical advantages and limitations of strain elastography are extensively discussed herein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cantisani
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Hektor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grazhdani
authors.affiliation: Venizelio Regional General Hospital of Heraklion, Leoforos Knosou, 714 09 Iraklio, Greece.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Drakonaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Segni
authors.affiliation: University of Tirana, Rruga Arben Broci, Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Erton
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaleshi
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Pavia, Viale Camillo Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calliada
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9574-4931
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redler
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Contrada Tappino, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brunese
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Drudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fumarola
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carbotta
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Frattaroli
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Leo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciccariello
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caratozzolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Ambrosio