To evaluate the diagnostic value of virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) in iden
tifying thyroid nodules of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) 4 category
and compare with virtual touch tissue imaging (VTI).
Methods
The features of VTIQ and VTI images of 201 thyroid nodules of TIRADS 4 category
which were diagnosed based on pathological examination
were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to diameter (10 mm and 10 mm). VTIQ was expressed as shear wave velocity (SWV). The sensitivity
specificity and accuracy of VTIQ and VTI diagnosing thyroid carcinoma were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare the area under the curve (AUC) between the two groups.
Results
In 201 thyroid nodules
there were 104 malignant nodules and 97 benign nodules. In the group of diameter 10 mm
the sensitivity
specificity
accuracy and AUC of VTIQ
VTI and their combination were 81.25%
80.85%
81.05%
0.811; 87.50%
78.72%
83.16%
0.831; and 95.83%
78.72%
87.37%
0.873
respectively. In the group of diameter 10 mm
the sensitivity
specificity
accuracy and AUC of VTIQ
VTI and their combination were 83.93%
72.00%
78.30%
0.780; 76.79%
78.00%
77.36%
0.774; and 96.43%
60.00%
79.25%
0.782
respectively.The diagnostic value of combination of VTIQ and VTI in nodules with diameter 10 mm was superior to the single method alone (
P
0.05). The diagnostic value of combination of VTIQ and VTI in nodules of TI-RADS 4 category with diameter10 mm is superior to other methods (
P
0.05).
Conclusion:
VTI
VTIQ and their combination in diagnosing thyroid carcinoma with different diameters can be used as an important adjunct to conventional ultrasound. The combination of VTI and VTIQ in diagnosing nodules with diameter10 mm is better than single method alone.