Is Elastography Actually Useful in the Presurgical Selection of Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate Cytology?

• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2011-1021
• Publication Date: 2011-08-25T03:34:08Z
• Authors: P. V. Lippolis; S. Tognini; G. Materazzi; A. Polini; R. Mancini; C. E. Ambrosini; A. Dardano; F. Basolo; M. Seccia; P. Miccoli; F. Monzani
• Keywords: Indeterminate; Thyroid Nodules

Although fine-needle aspiration cytology remains the mainstay of preoperative workup thyroid nodules, those with follicular proliferation still represent a diagnostic challenge. Real-time elastography (RTE) estimates stiffness/elasticity lesions and is regarded as promising technique for presurgical selection nodules (including indeterminate cytology).Our aim was to verify potential role RTE in diagnosis cancer large cohort consecutive patients nodules.One hundred two were submitted conventional ultrasonography evaluation before being operated on nodule (54% single nodules). Tissue stiffness scored from 1 (greatest elasticity) 4 (no elasticity).At examination, (median diameter 2.2 cm) solid (cystic areas < 10%); microcalcifications detected 56% them hypoechoic pattern 64%. Elasticity high eight cases only (score 1-2) although low 94 3-4). Cancer diagnosed 36 (35%), associated (P 0.0001) inversely related 0.01). Malignancy 50% score 1-2 34% 3-4. Therefore, either positive (34%) or negative predictive value (50%) clinically negligible.The current study does not confirm recently reported usefulness suggest need quantitative analytical assessment improve efficacy.