Objective:

To investigate the application value of thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Methods:

A total of 73 patients with 82 thyroid nodules which were suspected thyroid carcinoma were enrolled in the study. The puncture biopsies of the suspicious lesions guided by CEUS and conventional ultrasonography were conducted. The diagnoses were confirmed by pathological results. The positive rates of thyroid carcinoma and puncture points were detected by the two met

hods.

Results:

In 82 nodules with 406 punctures

71 nodules and 315 punctures were pathologically diagnosed as thyroid carcinoma. In the 71 nodules diagnosed as thyroid carcinoma

69 and 56 nodules were detected by CEUS and conventional ultrasound

respectively. The sensitivity

specificity

accuracy

positive predictive value and negative predictive value of aspiration biopsy guided by CEUS were 83.5%

80.2%

82.8%

80.8%

82.9%

and of conventional ultrasound were 47.9%

81.3%

55.4%

71.9%

60.9%. There was a significant difference between the two methods.

Conclusion:

CEUS guidance can improve the accuracy of diagnosing thyroid carcinoma and the sensitivity and accuracy of the puncture. It can aviod the necrosis and cystic area with high clinic value.