Ultrasonography 2019;38(2):106-124

doi:10.14366/usg.18037

Ultrasound elastography of the thyroid: principles and current status

Chong Ke ZHAO 1 2 ; Hui Xiong XU

Affiliations

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Keywords

Ultrasound; Elasticity imaging techniques; Strain elastography; Shear-wave elastography; Thyroid diseases; Thyroid nodule

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Ultrasound (US) elastography has been introduced as a non-invasive technique for evaluating thyroid diseases. This paper presents a detailed description of the technical principles, peculiarities, and limitations of US elastography techniques, including strain elastography and shear-wave elastography. This review was conducted from a clinical perspective, and aimed to assess the usefulness of US elastography for thyroid diseases in specific clinical scenarios. Although its main focus is on thyroid nodules, the applications of US elastography for other thyroid diseases, such as diffuse thyroid diseases and thyroiditis, are also presented. Furthermore, unresolved questions and directions for future research are also discussed.