Objective:

This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of elastic sonography score method in the identification of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted in 59 cases (85 thyroid nodules). According to the pathological results

85 nodules were divided into benign group [n=42

63 nodules

male∶female =21∶42

13-74 years old

average (53.1613) years

]

and malignant group [

n

=17

22 nodules

male∶female=5∶17

24-68 years old

average (44.7711.51) years

]

. The elastic scores between groups were compared

and differential diagnosis ability of elasticity score was evaluated

by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Through the calculation of the cut-off point

the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules were improved by calculation the cut-off point..

Results:

The elastic scores of thyroid nodules between benign and malignant group were significantly different (non-parametric Mann-Whitney test

Z

=-9.517

P

=0.000). The area under the ROC was 0.886. When the elastic score was greater than or equal to 3 points (cut-off point=3) the specificity for diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules was 78.0%

the sensitivity was 90.5%.

Conclusion:

The elastic sonography scoring system could help to improve the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.