Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of gray-scale ultrasonography (GSU) combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and real-time elastography imaging (EI) in solid thyroid nodules.Methods A total of 124 solid nodules were collected from Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from September 2011 to November 2014, including 49 benign nodules and 75 malignant nodules conifrmed by surgical pathology. The data of multimodal imaging were retrospectively analyzed and compared with the pathological results. The parameters among the groups were compared byχ2 test. Four diagnostic models including the statistically signiifcant independent variables were established accord to different combinations of routine ultrasound examination. The binary Logistic regression equation using the pathological results as the dependent variable Y and the ultrasound features of thyroid nodules as independent variableX was established for calculating the area under the receiver operator curve (ROC) and multiple regression analysis furthermore.Results There were statistically significant differences in aspect ratio, margin condition, echo type, CEUS features, elastic imaging score and elastic strain rate of benign and malignant thyroid nodules(χ2=13.966, 7.106, 24.215, 17.250 and 27.158,P<0.05).The four Logistic regression models were statistically signiifcant (χ2=5.37, 5.37, 8.155, 8.155, allP<0.05). By using modelⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ andⅣ, the diagnostic sensitivity, speciifcity and accuracy of malignant nodules were (73.8%, 75.9%, 79.7%, 83.3%), (67.5%, 70.7%, 85.2%, 86.7%), and (71.8%, 74.2% 81.8%, 84.4%) respectively. The area under the ROC of logistic equation predicted values were (0.778, 0.809, 0.875 and 0.898, allP<0.01). Multivariate categorical analysis showed that aspect ratio, margin condition and the elastic strain rate ratio (χ2=13.73, 7.541 and 11.461, allP<0.05) of thyroid nodules were effective diagnostic indicators. Conclusions Our study indicated that CEUS and EI could be helpful modality for GSU to improve the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid nodules. The combined application of multi mode ultrasound examination has a high diagnostic value.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS),elastography and their combined use in diagnosing thyroid nodules of thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) 4. Methods From November 2011 to August 2016, 159 TI-RADS 4 nodules diagnosed by conventional ultrasound were prospectively enrolled and examined by CEUS and elastography before surgery. Multivariate logistic regression models were established for CEUS and CEUS combined with elastography to diagnose thyroid malignancy. The diagnostic performances of CEUS, elastography and their combined use were evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The sensitivity,specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and omission diagnostic rate of CEUS, elastography and their combined use were compared by Chi-square test. Results The CEUS features significantly predicting malignancy were heterogeneous enhancement, hypoenhancement, without or incomplete ring-enhancement and later time to peak than the surrounding parenchyma (χ2=24.378, 69.194,29.434 and 7.375, all P < 0.01). Furthermore, the multivariate logistic regression for CEUS combined with elastography showed that heterogeneous enhancement, ring enhancement and elasticity score were the independent predictors of thyroid malignancy. The area under the ROC curve of CEUS combined with elastography was (0.921±0.023) which was higher than that of CEUS and elatography (0.88±0.029 and 0.80±0.038, respectively; both P < 0.05). Moreover, the sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value of CEUS combined with elastography were 92.1%, 86.2% and 84.6%, respectively. The omission diagnostic rate of CEUS combined with elastography (7.9%) was reduced. And the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS combined with elastography was significantly higher than that of CEUS and elastography (P < 0.05). While the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was close to the elastography, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The diagnostic value of CEUS combined with elastography was remarkably significant in the differential diagnosis of TI-RADS 4 nodules.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS),elastography and their combined use in diagnosing non-mass-like lesions on breast.Methods From November 2015 to January 2017,79 nodules diagnosed by conventional ultrasound were prospectively enrolled and examined by CEUS and elastography before surgery.Multivariate logistic regression models were established for CEUS and CEUS combined with elastography to diagnose breast malignancy.The diagnostic performances of CEUS,elastography and their combined use were evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results The CEUS features significantly predicting malignancy were hyperenhancement,heterogeneous enhancement,visualization of penetrating vessels (P ＜ 0.01).Furthermore,the multivariate logistic regression for CEUS combined with elastography showed that heterogeneous enhancement,visualization of penetrating vessels and elasticity score were the independent predictors of breast malignancy.The area under the ROC curve of CEUS combined with elastography was (0.915 ± 0.223),which was higher than that of CEUS and elatography (0.851 ±0.029,0.790 ±0.038,P ＜0.05).Moreover,the sensitivity,and accuracy of CEUS combined with elastography were 89.1％,and 86.1％,respectively.The omission diagnostic rate of CEUS combined with elastography (8.9％) was reduced.The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS combined with elastography was significantly higher than that of CEUS and elastography.Conclusions The diagnostic value of CEUS combined with elastography was remarkably significant in the differential diagnosis of non-mass-like lesions on breast.