Combined use of sonographic and elastosonographic parameters can improve the diagnostic accuracy in thyroid nodules at risk of malignancy at cytological examination

BACKGROUND Thyroid nodules diagnosed as Thy3B at fine-needle aspiration biopsy have a relevant risk of malignancy (15-30%) and are usually addressed to surgery. However surgery will result unnecessary in most cases. The present study aims at evaluating the possible increase of diagnostic accuracy for predicting malignancy using novel sonographic and elastographic parameters. METHODS In fifty patients undergoing thyroidectomy because of a Thy3B thyroid nodule, sonographic and elastosonographic evaluation was carried out by single operator before surgery. Five sonographic parameters (echogenicity, irregular margins, microcalcifications, intra-nodule blood flow and its irregularity) and two el…