超声弹性成像在甲状腺结节鉴别诊断中的临床应用

目的探讨超声弹性成像在甲状腺良、恶性结节鉴别诊断中的价值。方法依据术后病理检查结果,将152个甲状腺结节分为良性和恶性,分析比较2组间的常规超声特征与超声弹性成像特征。结果良性甲状腺结节104个,恶性甲状腺结节48个。与良性甲状腺结节相比,恶性甲状腺结节常规超声特征多为形态不规则、边界不清、结节内有钙化、纵横比＞1,而超声弹性成像分级多位于Ⅲ~Ⅳ级。超声弹性分级Ⅲ~Ⅳ级诊断甲状腺恶性结节的敏感性和特异性分别为85.57%和79.17%。结论超声弹性成像在鉴别甲状腺结节性质方面有较高的临床应用价值。     

高频超声弹性成像技术在诊断桥本氏甲状腺炎合并甲状腺结节良恶性的临床价值

目的 探讨高频超声弹性技术检查对诊断桥本氏甲状腺炎合并甲状腺结节良恶性的临床价值。方法 选取100例甲状腺结节患者均接受弹性超声以及高频超声检测，病理活检为金标准，根据图像结果计算不同诊断方法的诊断价值特异度、灵敏度、准确度，结合临床影像学诊断标准评价应变率比值、弹性评分值、结节直径值。结果 100例甲状腺结节中良性结节共有29例，恶性结节有71例，恶性结节检出率71.0%;良性结节中非微钙化占比值、低回声占比值、边界清晰占比值、不规则形态占比值较高，而恶性结节中微钙化、低回声、边界模糊以及不规则占比值较高；良性结节与恶性结节钙化情况、回声、边界情况以及形态指标差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 桥本氏甲状腺炎合并甲状腺结节良恶性的诊断中，弹性超声联合高频超声检查具有较好的诊断价值。     

常规超声联合超声造影诊断甲状腺微小乳头状癌研究

目的探讨常规超声(US)联合超声造影(CEUS)对甲状腺微小乳头状癌(PTMC)的诊断价值。方法选取自2016年6月至2017年3月解放军202医院收治的37例PTMC患者为研究对象,共计41枚结节,最大径均≤1 cm。术前均行US及CEUS检查,分别记录良、恶性结节的US及CEUS表现特征,计算US、CEUS及US联合CEUS的诊断效能。结果 US检查中,恶性结节表现为微钙化、纵横比>1、边界不完整、低回声;良性结节表现为边界完整、钙化灶粗大、纵横比<1、低回声。CEUS检查中,良性结节多表现为不均匀低增强,造影增强后边界清晰,增强后面积不变;恶性结节多表现为不均匀低增强、增强后边界不清,增强后面积减小。US检查的符合率为80.4%(33/41),CEUS检查的符合率为90.2%(37/41),US联合CEUS检查的符合率为92.6%(38/41),高于前两者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 US检查是发现甲状腺微小结节的基础,通过实时CEUS可以获得更多信息,两者联合可提高诊断准确率,具有重要的诊断价值。     

超声显像下甲状腺结节内微钙化对乳头状癌的诊断价值

目的探讨超声显像下甲状腺结节内微钙化对乳头状癌的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析161例甲状腺结节患者超声检查与术后病理结果。结果乳头状癌组微钙化的发生率（88．5％）高于良性结节组（11．9％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．001）;超声检查中有微钙化组乳头状癌的发生率（78．0％）高于无微钙化组（5．9％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．001）,前者与后者相比发生乳头状癌的相对危险度（RelativeRisk,RR）为7．4,即超声显像发现有微钙化组患者获得乳头状癌的危险性是无微钙化组患者的7．4倍。结论超声显像下结节内微钙化是诊断甲状腺癌的良好指标。对超声检查发现甲状腺结节微钙化的患者,应高度警惕甲状腺癌可能。     

超声弹性应变率比值在TI-RADS(4-6)类合并钙化的甲状腺结节中的价值

目的探讨超声弹性应变率比值在鉴别诊断甲状腺TI-RADS(4-6)类合并钙化结节中的应用价值。方法常规超声观察303例患者(共324个结节)甲状腺结节的边界、内部回声、是否合并钙化、纵横比、内部及周边血流情况等,依据甲状腺影像数据评分与报告系统(TI-RADS)对相应的甲状腺结节进行分类,同时进行超声弹性成像记录弹性应变率比值,绘制ROC曲线,获得弹性应变率比值鉴别诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的最佳界值。其中TI-RADS 4-6类患者137例(137个结节)分钙化组(Ⅰ组)和无钙化组(Ⅱ组),钙化组又以钙化大小分为微钙化组(≤2mm)和粗钙化组。以病理结果为金标准,绘制ROC曲线,评价弹性应变率比值在Ⅰ、Ⅱ组病变中的应用价值。结果弹性应变率界值为0.55。微钙化组和Ⅱ组的敏感性、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值分别为88.9%、71.4%、86.5%、95.2%和82.4%、78.9%、81.1%、87.5%,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.808、0.831;粗钙化组ROC曲线AUC为0.655。结论应用TI-RADS分类标准联合弹性应变率比值可提高鉴别诊断Ⅱ组和微钙化组甲状腺结节良恶性的敏感性、特异性和准确性,指导临床对甲状腺合并钙化结节采取正确的处理,达到早期诊断,早期治疗的效果。     

钙化在甲状腺良、恶性结节鉴别诊断中的意义

目的评价超声探测甲状腺结节内微钙化和粗钙化在甲状腺癌中的诊断价值。方法142例甲状腺疾病患者,通过甲状腺高频超声检查,观察甲状腺结节内钙化表现,并与术后组织病理结果相对照。结果142例甲状腺疾病患者中,共152个结节,53个为甲状腺癌,钙化42个（79.25%）,其中微钙化39个（73.58%）、粗钙化3个（5.66%）;99个甲状腺良性结节中,钙化15个（15.15%）,其中微钙化8个（8.08%）、粗钙化7个（7.07%）。微钙化对甲状腺癌的敏感性为7358%、特异性为9192%,粗钙化的敏感性为566%、特异性为9293%。结论微钙化可作为筛查甲状腺癌的特异性指标,而粗钙化对判断甲状腺结节的良、恶性意义不大。     

基于CT影像特征的列线图对甲状腺良恶性结节鉴别诊断的价值

目的 探讨基于CT影像特征的列线图鉴别甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断价值。方法 回顾性分析经手术病理证实的262例甲状腺结节患者的临床和影像资料，其中良性组114例，恶性组148例，比较两组患者的临床资料及CT影像特征，包括结节的数目、位置、形态、边界、成分、钙化、包膜是否完整、纵横比(轴位及冠状位)、强化方式及平扫、动脉期、静脉期CT值，采用多因素Logistic回归分析筛选鉴别甲状腺良恶性结节的独立影响因素并构建列线图模型，采用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)、校准曲线验证该模型的性能。结果 甲状腺良恶性结节均好发于女性，良性结节组占比略高于恶性结节组，差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);但良性结节组的平均年龄大于恶性结节组，且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。良性结节组多位于腺体内，形态较规则，边界清晰，包膜完整；恶性结节组多位于包膜下，形态不规则，边界模糊，包膜不完整。两组结节的位置、形态、边界、成分、钙化、包膜是否完整、轴位纵横比及动脉期CT值、静脉期CT值差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组结节的数目、强化方式、冠状位纵横比及平扫CT值差异无统计学意义(P>0....     

应用高频和彩色多普勒超声鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性的Logistic回归模型

目的:建立应用高频和彩色多普勒超声对甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别诊断的Logistic回归模型.材料与方法:回顾性分析经病理证实的119例甲状腺结节患者,其中良性68例,恶性51例.比较两组灰阶及彩色多普勒声像特征,对其超声特征进行多因素回归分析,建立二分类Logistic回归模型,绘制ROC曲线并计算曲线下面积.结果:甲状腺良性结节似圆度较恶性组偏小(P<0.01),恶性结节边界欠清,有微钙化、无声晕或声晕欠完整、后方回声衰减,回声表现为低回声及血流形态者Ⅱ级及Ⅲ级者检出率较良性组高(P<0.01),恶性结节RI高于良性(P<0.05),两组之间PSV差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).多因素回归分析显示最后进入Logistic模型的4个特征分别为似圆度、微钙化、声晕及血流分布形态,ROC曲线下面积为0.957.结论:应用高频和彩色多普勒超声对甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别的Logistic回归模型有助于鉴别甲状腺良、恶性结节.     

多因素Logistic回归分析评价MSCT鉴别甲状腺良恶性结节的价值

目的:探讨多因素Logistic回归分析评价MSCT鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性的价值。方法:选取87例经超声引导下细针穿刺活检或术后病理确诊的甲状腺结节,其中良性组44例,恶性组43例。以病理结果作为金标准评价MSCT诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的效能,并对良性组与恶性组结节的CT征象行Logistic回归分析。结果:单因素分析显示,形态不规则、边界中断征、细颗粒状钙化、与包膜分界不清、磨玻璃样强化、增强扫描边界不清是鉴别甲状腺良恶性结节的重要征象,2组差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);多因素回归分析显示,边界中断征、细颗粒状钙化、增强扫描边界不清与甲状腺癌相关(P=0.006,0.003,0.013)。结论:Logistic回归分析能有效提高MSCT诊断甲状腺恶性结节准确率,边界中断征、细颗粒状钙化及增强扫描边界不清与甲状腺癌密切相关,可作为辅助判断甲状腺结节良恶性的可靠指标。     

高频彩超及弹性成像对甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别诊断价值

目的：对甲状腺小结节高频彩超及弹性成像表现进行多因素 Logistic 回归分析,探讨其对良恶性鉴别诊断的价值。方法：回顾性分析经手术病理确诊的126个直径≤2 cm 的甲状腺结节的超声表现,根据每个结节的高频超声及弹性成像声像图特征进行分类,采用二分类多因素 Logistic 回归分析,筛选出评价甲状腺恶性结节的因素,建立概率方程。结果：根据多因素 logistic 回归分析结果,边界不清、纵横比≥1、微钙化、极低回声、弹性成像评分是鉴别甲状腺小结节良恶性的关键因素。回归模型预测超声诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的符合率为89．7％,其中良性结节的诊断符合率为90．0％,恶性结节的诊断符合率为89．3％,ROC 曲线下面积为0．959。结论：多因素 Logistic 回归模型可筛选出对甲状腺小结节良恶性有鉴别诊断意义的特征性变量,综合评价各个变量,有利于甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别诊断。     

US, colour-Doppler US and fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to correlate the diagnosis of benign or malignant thyroid nodules obtained with grey-scale ultrasound (US) and colour-Doppler US with the cytological findings after US-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and June 2005, 516 thyroid nodules in 420 patients (181 solitary thyroid nodules and 239 multiple nodules) were prospectively evaluated with US, colour-Doppler US and US-guided FNA. The nodules were classified as sonographically benign, suspicious or malignant in accordance with established US criteria. Cytological findings were classified as inadequate, benign, indeterminate, suspicious or malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of US and colour-Doppler US were evaluated using FNA as the reference procedure. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and overall accuracy values of grey-scale US were 46%, 73%, 34%, 82% and 67%, respectively, for solitary thyroid nodules and 35%, 72%, 14%, 90% and 68%, respectively, for multiple nodules. The evaluation of nodule vascularity with colour-Doppler US produced a slight increase in sensitivity but a slight reduction in specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid nodules cannot be accurately characterised using grey-scale US or colour-Doppler US.     

甲状腺良恶性结节的CT鉴别诊断

目的：分析甲状腺结节的CT表现,探讨CT扫描在甲状腺良恶性结节鉴别诊断中的价值。方法：对照回顾性分析108例（120个结节）甲状腺结节的CT表现,包括结节的边缘、密度、钙化、包膜、强化方式、强化程度等,比较良恶性结节之间的差异并与病理结果进行对比分析。结果：在结节边缘、微小钙化、包膜、结节数量等方面,良恶性结节之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,结节边缘不清、微小钙化、无包膜、病灶单发对恶性结节诊断的敏感度分别为45.5%、36.4%、100%、90.9%,特异度分别为83.7%、94.9%、22.4%、36.0%,准确度分别为83.6%、91.8%、36.7%、48.1%。结论：甲状腺良恶性结节的CT表现有一定特征性,边缘不清和微小钙化是甲状腺恶性结节的特征性征象,完整包膜和囊性结节是良性结节的特征性征象。     

MRI对乳腺X线摄影中含成簇微钙化病变的诊断

目的：探讨乳腺磁共振成像对乳腺X线摄影中含成簇微钙化病变的鉴别诊断价值。方法：搜集行乳腺钙化灶立体定位下活检术或术前钩丝定位局切活检术的97例病例,所有患者术前均行乳腺X线摄影和MRI检查且病灶钙化表现为成簇微钙化灶,分析含不同形态成簇微钙化病变的MRI表现及其鉴别诊断价值,并与组织病理学结果进行对照。结果：病灶总数为97个,其中病理结果为良性者73个（75.3%）,恶性24个（24.7%）。良恶性病变乳腺X线上表现均以无定形钙化为主者,分别占57.5%（42/73）、37.5%（9/24）。MRI对含成簇微钙化的恶性病灶诊断的阳性预测值72.4%（21/29）高于乳腺X线摄影28.9%（22/76）（P=0.000）。MRI对含成簇无定形钙化的恶性病灶诊断的阳性预测值66.7%（8/12）高于乳腺X线摄影17.6%（9/51）（P=0.002）。MRI上节段性强化诊断恶性病变的阳性预测值为100.0%（9/9）;无强化对诊断含成簇钙化病变的阴性预测值为100.0%（9/9）。含成簇微钙化的恶性病变早期强化率平均值为109.6%±78.5%,高于良性病变62.8%±25.9%（P=0.000）。结论：MRI对含成簇微钙化特别是无定形成簇微钙化的乳腺病变具有较好的鉴别诊断价值。     

99Tcm-MIBI甲状腺显像对甲状腺癌诊断价值的再评价

目的 评价99Tcm-甲氧基异丁基异腈(MIBI)甲状腺显像对甲状腺癌的诊断价值.方法 167例甲状腺"冷(凉)"结节患者进行了甲状腺99Tcm-MIBI显像.所有患者均依据病理或穿刺活组织检查诊断.99Tcm-MIBI显像早期相甲状腺结节完全或部分放射性填充视为阳性,轻度或不填充视为阴性;早期相放射性浓聚区与正常组织边界分明者视为分界清楚,否则为模糊;延迟相99Tcm-MIBI从浓聚区清除慢于正常组织者视为清除慢,快于或相同者视为清除快.计算99Tcm-MIBI显像的阳性和阴性预测率,以显像阳性病灶边界模糊和放射性清除慢为标准预测甲状腺癌的发生率.结果 99Tcm-MIBI显像对甲状腺癌的阳性预测率为23.5%(19/81),对甲状腺良性病变的阴性预测率为97.7%(84/86).显像阳性者单独用边界模糊预测甲状腺痛的发生率为36.2%(17/47),单独用清除速度慢预测甲状腺癌的发生率为43.9%(18/41).若放射性浓聚区边界模糊和清除速度慢二者都有时,其预测甲状腺癌的发生率为73.9%(17/23).结论 99Tcm-MIBI甲状腺显像阴性对甲状腺良性结节具有较大的诊断价值;阳性对甲状腺癌的诊断价值不大,但如果同时结合放射性浓聚区边界模糊和清除速度慢,则可提高其诊断价值.     

二维超声特征对甲状腺结节性质的诊断价值

目的探讨依据超声特点判断甲状腺结节良恶性的临床应用价值。方法对我院2008年1月至2012年12月就诊并手术治疗的甲状腺结节患者121例（212个结节）进行回顾性分析。查阅患者病历资料记录结节的超声特点及术后病理结果,分析超声特点与甲状腺结节良恶性间的关系。结果212个结节中恶性结节89个,占42．0％。单因素分析显示,与良性结节比较,甲状腺恶性结节超声表现中边界不清、实性结构、低回声和结节钙化等特点所致比例显著增高（P〈0．05）。Logistic回归分析显示边界不清（OR=3．02,P=0．02）和结节钙化（OR=3．66,P=0．01）是判断甲状腺结节的独立危险因素。根据贝叶斯定理,以结节边界不清和结节钙化诊断结节为恶性的敏感性分别为0．56（95％CI：0．44-0．68）和0．60（95％CI：0．49～0．69）：特异性为0．72（95％CI：0．64．0．80）和O．77（95％CI：0．69～0．84）。结论甲状腺结节的良恶性有其自身的超声特点,综合分析其影像特点对鉴别结节良恶性有一定的临床价值。     

钙化在甲状腺结节CT鉴别诊断中的价值

目的:探讨CT图像中钙化与其他特征在鉴别甲状腺良恶性病变中的价值。方法:收集我院2007年1月～2009年12月间经病理证实并有完整CT检查资料、病灶内有钙化甲状腺结节的病例35例,将甲状腺内钙化按照大小分为细颗粒(≤2 mm)、粗颗粒(>2 mm)和混合性钙化(细颗粒与粗颗粒均出现);按照数量分为单发和多发钙化;按照钙化边缘情况分为光滑、毛糙。同时观察钙化甲状腺结节平扫密度及增强扫描后强化程度。结果:35例中,男7例,女28例,良性病变20例,恶性病变15例,良、恶性病变男女比例分别为1:19,6:9,良、恶性病变边缘光滑与毛糙比例为6:14,12:3,差异具有统计学意义。病灶内钙化位置及多少、钙化伴发结节密度及强化幅度在良恶性病变中差异无统计学意义。结论:甲状腺结节伴发钙化出现在男性,并且钙化边缘光滑时提示恶性病变。     

Thyroid Incidentaloma Detected by Time-Resolved Magnetic Resonance Angiography at 3T: Prevalence and Clinical Significance

Objective

To determine the prevalence of thyroid incidentalomas detected by time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (TRMRA) and to evaluate their clinical significance by using an ultrasonographic (US) and cytologic correlation.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 2010 consecutive TRMRA examinations performed at our institution between August 2006 and April 2010. The TRMRA findings of thyroid incidentalomas were analyzed according to location, size, as well as vascularity, and were correlated with the US findings and cytologic results. Each nodule was classified as suspiciously malignant, indeterminate or probably benign according to the US criteria recommended by the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology.

Results

A total of 102 incidentalomas were detected in 90 of 2010 patients (5%). TRMRA showed homogenous hypervascularity in 48 (47%), inhomogeneous hypervascularity in 46 (45%), and hypovascularity in 8 (8%) thyroid nodules. At follow-up study, out of 26 patients with 30 incidentalomas on TRMRA, 27 nodules were identified on US. Of the 27 nodules, 24 (89%) nodule were classified as indeterminate, two (7%) as probably benign, and one (4%) as suspiciously malignant. Among the 16 nodules with available cytopathologic results, 14 (82%) were benign, one (6%) was indeterminate, and one (6%) was malignant.

Conclusion

Thyroid incidentalomas are found in 5% of TRMRA examinations. Although their presence does not necessarily indicate malignancy, nonspecific findings of detected incidentalomas on TRMRA require further evaluation by US.     

2021 Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System and Imaging-Based Management of Thyroid Nodules: Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology Consensus Statement and Recommendations

Incidental thyroid nodules are commonly detected on ultrasonography (US). This has contributed to the rapidly rising incidence of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma over the last 20 years. The appropriate diagnosis and management of these patients is based on the risk factors related to the patients as well as the thyroid nodules. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) published consensus recommendations for US-based management of thyroid nodules in 2011 and revised them in 2016. These guidelines have been used as the standard guidelines in Korea. However, recent advances in the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules have necessitated the revision of the original recommendations. The task force of the KSThR has revised the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System and recommendations for US lexicon, biopsy criteria, US criteria of extrathyroidal extension, optimal thyroid computed tomography protocol, and US follow-up of thyroid nodules before and after biopsy. The biopsy criteria were revised to reduce unnecessary biopsies for benign nodules while maintaining an appropriate sensitivity for the detection of malignant tumors in small (1–2 cm) thyroid nodules. The goal of these recommendations is to provide the optimal scientific evidence and expert opinion consensus regarding US-based diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules.     

^18F-FDGPET／CT影像特征对甲状腺结节的诊断效能

目的研究甲状腺结节^18F-FDGPET／CT影像特征对甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别诊断效能。方法回顾性研究68例[男24例,女44例,平均年龄（52．8±10．58）岁]2006年1月至2012年12月间经PET／CT检查发现甲状腺结节且有术后病理结果的患者,分析其PET／CT图像特征并获得特征参数,包括结节边界清晰度、密度均匀性、钙化情况、包膜情况、平均CT值、结节大小及SUVmax。以术后病理结果为“金标准”,采用Mann-Whitney u检验、x^2检验及ROC曲线对各参数的诊断效能进行统计分析。结果68例患者中,病理结果显示恶性18例,良性50例。结节密度是否均匀、有无钙化灶、有无包膜对于甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别均无统计学意义（x^2=0．21、0．01、0．43,均P〉0．05）,结节平均CT值及结节大小亦无鉴别意义（均AUC〈0．5）。结节边界是否清晰对良恶性结节鉴别有统计学意义（x^2=8．06,P〈0．05）,其诊断灵敏度、特异性及准确性分别为55．6％（10／18）、80．0％（40／50）和73．5％（50／68）。良性结节SUVmax为3．16±1．84,恶性结节SUVmax为8．53±7．09,差异有统计学意义（u=-4．281,P〈0．01）。以SUVmax为评价指标,其ROC的AUC为0．841（95％CI：0．726—0．955）,最大约登指数（0．562）对应SUVmax为4．25,其诊断灵敏度、特异性及准确性分别为72．2％（13／18）、84．0％（42／50）和80．9％（55／68）。结论可依据^18F—FDGPET／CTSUVmax对甲状腺结节良恶性进行判断,但同机CT影像特征价值有限。     

Power Doppler US patterns of vascularity and spectral Doppler US parameters in predicting malignancy in thyroid nodules

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine whether spectral Doppler ultrasound (US) parameters, including resistive index (RI) and maximal systolic velocity (MSV), or vascular pattern can be used to distinguish malignant from benign thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively examined 169 thyroid nodules in 134 patients undergoing sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Vascularity as determined by power Doppler US imaging was defined as absent, perinodular alone, or intranodular. For each nodule, the RI and MSV values were recorded as the average of the recordings obtained. Results of the FNAB and surgical pathological examination, if available, were used as a proof of final diagnosis to categorize all nodules as benign or malignant. RESULTS: Seven nodules were excluded from study because of non-diagnostic FNAB results due to hypocellular or insufficient cytological material. Of the remaining nodules, nine were malignant (all confirmed at surgery) and 153 were benign. Of the 145 nodules with intranodular vascularity, nine (6.2%) were malignant and the remaining 136 (93.8%) were benign. The malignant nodules had a mean RI of 0.60 on intranodular and 0.58 on perinodular arteries. These values were not significantly higher than those associated with benign nodules (RI=0.57 and RI=0.56, respectively). Malignant nodules had a mean MSV of 20.4cm/s on intranodular and 35.3cm/s on perinodular arteries that were also not significantly different from those associated with benign nodules (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that Doppler US characteristics including vascular pattern, RI and MSV are not useful parameters for distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules. Therefore, Doppler US characteristics including vascular pattern, RI and MSV values of thyroid nodules can not be used as a diagnostic method to determine which nodules should undergo FNAB.