Shao et al reported a score based on ultrasonography findings in a patient with a thyroid nodule. This can help to distinguish between benign and malignant nodules. The authors are from Jiangsu University, Nanjing Medical University and Aoyoung Hospital in China.
Patient selection: thyroid nodule
Parameters:
(1) conventional ultrasonography score from 0 to 6
(2) ultrasound elastrography score from 0 to 4
Parameter
Finding
Points
predominantly solid
no
0
yes
1
irregular or blurred margin
no
0
yes
1
hypo-echogenicity
no
0
yes
1
microcalcification
no
0
yes
1
aspect ratio
< 1
0
>= 1
1
intranodular blood flow
no
0
yes
1
subscore =
= SUM(points for all of the 6 parameters)
Findings on Elastography
Points
cystic component; red with blue or blue-green
0
lesion and surrounding tissue an even green
1
lesion green and surrounding tissue blue
2
lesion blue and green
3
lesion completely blue
4
total score =
= (subscore for conventional US) + (points for elastography)
Interpretation:
• minimum total score: 0
• maximum total score: 10
• A total score >= 5 had a sensitivity of 0.85 and specificity of 0.87 for a malignant nodule.
Performance:
• The area under the ROC curve is 0.94.
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