The value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the value of shear wave velocity value (SWV) and shear wave velocity ratio (SWR) in differentiating between malignant and benign thyroid nodules using virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology.MethodsThe SWV and SWR were analyzed in 155 thyroid nodules in 155 patients (93 benign and 62 malignant) and eighty normal thyroid glands. The diagnostic performance of SWV and SWR were compared.ResultsThe mean value of SWV of malignant nodules differed significantly from those of the benign nodules (6.34 ± 2.58 m/s vs. 2.15 ± 0.59 m/s, P < 0.05) and the normal thyroid (1.96 ± 0.31 m/s, P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean value of SWV of benign nodules and normal thyroid (P > 0.05). The mean value of SWR of malignant nodules differed significantly from those of the benign nodules (2.99 ± 1.45 vs. 1.07 ± 0.34, P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values and accuracy of SWV in differentiating between malignant and benign nodules were 96.80%, 95.70%, 93.75%, 97.80% and 96.13% respectively based on the cutoff point as 2.84 m/s. Those of SWR were 91.90%, 81.70%, 77.03%, 93.83% and 85.83% based on the cutoff point as 1.32. The diagnostic accuracy rate of SWV was statistically higher than that of SWR (P < 0.05).ConclusionVTQ of ARFI technology provides the quantitative information of thyroid tissue elasticity and has high accuracy rate in differentiating between malignant and benign nodules. It is a useful complement for conventional ultrasonography.