• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.341-346
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• 2022

The color overlay pattern of thyroid shear wave elastography applied in this study distinguishes benign and malignant nodules based on the optimal cut-off value of 74.2 kPa. From august 2021 to september 2021, thyroid ultrasound and elastography were performed on 57 patients with thyroid lesions using an ultrasound device RS85 prestige (Samsung Medison, Korea) and a 2-14 MHz linear transducer. In addition, the results of classification by K-TIRADS for each thyroid nodule and the results of classification by color overlay pattern according to the kPa value of acoustic ultrasound were compared and analyzed. In the color overlay pattern, the results classified as 40 people from dark blue to light blue and 17 people from green to red were similar to the K-TIRADS category results, which were classified as 42 benign and 15 malignant. Between blue and light blue, benign, and between green and red, malignant. If the shear wave elastography method is applied before the fine-needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid nodule is performed, the differential diagnosis of thyroid tissue from benign and malignant can be predicted in advance, and it will help to reduce unnecessary invasive tests.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2013

The Korean Thyroid Association recommends fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for nodules more than 0.5 cm in diameter. But nodules, smaller than 0.5 cm have been found in papillary carcinomas of the thyroid (PTC) at the health promotion center at SMC. We wanted to evaluate the ultrasonographic findings according to size of nodule in proven PTCs by FNAB, especially less than 0.5 cm. All nodules were classified into three groups by their longest diameter : less than 0.5 cm, more than 0.5 cm but less than 1 cm, and more than 1 cm. Sonographic findings suggesting malignancy were analyzed according to their size groups. Of 288 malignant nodules, 21.5 % (62/288) were less than 0.5 cm, 54.9 % (158/288) were more than 0.5 cm but less than 1 cm, 23.6 % (68/288) exceeded 1 cm. A taller-than-wide shape was observed in 90.3 % (56/62) of nodules less than 0.5 cm, and 48.5 % (33/68) of nodules exceeding 1 cm (p<0.001). There were no well-defined smooth nodules among nodules less than 0.5 cm, and spiculated or irregular margin nodules increased as the size increased (p=0.024). Nodules of size less than 0.5 cm did not showed hyper or isoechogenicity. Hypoechogenicity was greater than the marked hypoechogenicity in each group (p=0.034). Micro- or macro-calcifications were not founded in 77.4 % (48/62) of the nodule group sized less than 0.5 cm. From the small size of the group, micro- or macrocalcifications were observed 21.0 % (13/62), 48.1 % (76/158), 64.7 % (44/68), so the number of nodules containing micro- or macro-calcification increased as size increased (p<0.001). PTCs less than 0.5 cm in size on ultrasonography had taller than-wide shape, spiculated or irregular and ill-defined margins, and exhibited hypo and markedly hypoechogenicity, but microor macro-calcifications were not common. These ultrasonographic features of nodules less than 0.5 cm can be useful in reporting and guiding FNABs or follow-up exams.