美国甲状腺协会超声分类与细针穿刺细胞学检查诊断良恶性甲状腺结节

目的 评价美国甲状腺协会（ATA）超声分类与甲状腺细针穿刺（FNA）细胞学检查对良恶性甲状腺结节的诊断价值。方法 回顾性分析342例甲状腺结节患者（共357个结节）的资料。所有患者均于超声检查后接受外科手术或FNA细胞学检查。根据2015年版ATA甲状腺结节诊治指南,对超声图像进行分类评估,并与术后病理结果对照,评价ATA超声分类及FNA细胞学检查的诊断效能。结果 357个甲状腺结节中,248个经术后病理确诊,包括233个恶性结节及15个良性结节。对照病理结果,超声ATA分类诊断甲状腺恶性结节的准确率为88.31%（219/248）,敏感度为90.99%（212/233）,特异度为46.67%（7/15）,阳性预测值为96.36%（212/220）,阴性预测值为25.00%（7/28）;FNA细胞学检查诊断甲状腺恶性结节的准确率为98.81%（83/84）,敏感度为100%（75/75）,特异度为88.89%（8/9）,阳性预测值为98.68%（75/76）,阴性预测率为100%（8/8）。ROC曲线分析显示,2种方法诊断恶性甲状腺结节的曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.653和0.944（Z=2.397,P=0.017）。结论 ATA超声分类方法对鉴别良恶性甲状腺结节具有较高的诊断价值,FNA细胞学检查能更加有效地判断甲状腺结节性质。     

Combining real-time elastography with fine-needle aspiration biopsy to identify malignant thyroid nodules

ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of real-time elastography (RTE) combined with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy in identifying malignant thyroid nodules.MethodsThis was a single-centre, retrospective study and involved patients who had underogone partial or total thyroidectomy from 01 January 2014 to 31 December 2018 at our centre. Eligible patients were at least18 years of age, had reliable grayscale ultrasound imaging results, a RTE evaluation and had undergone a FNA biopsy.ResultsData were available from 437 patients. A high RTE score was a significant independent risk factors for malignancy. RTE plus FNA biopsy increased diagnostic accuracy compared with either method alone and the sensitivity and specificity of the combined model were 86% and 78%, respectively.ConclusionsThe combination of RTE imaging with FNA biopsy improves the diagnostic performance in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules.     

The role of molecular diagnostic testing in the management of thyroid nodules

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) with cytologic examination remains the standard of care for investigation of thyroid nodules. However, as many as 30% of FNA samples are cytologically indeterminate for malignancy, which confounds clinical management. To reduce the burden of repeat diagnostic testing and unnecessary surgery, there has been extensive investigation into molecular markers that can be detected on FNA specimens to more accurately stratify a patient’s risk of malignancy.

Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss recent evidence and progress in molecular markers used in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer highlighting somatic gene alterations, molecular technologies and microRNA analysis.

Expert commentary: The goal of molecular markers is to improve diagnostic accuracy and aid clinicians in the preoperative management of thyroid lesions. Modalities such as direct mutation analysis, mRNA gene expression profiling, next-generation sequencing, and miRNA expression profiling have been explored to improve the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid nodule FNA. Although no perfect test has been discovered, molecular diagnostic testing has revolutionized the management of thyroid nodules.     

A simple procedure for routine RNA extraction and miRNA array analyses from a single thyroid in vivo fine needle aspirate

Abstract

Context. microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling and classification of tissue obtained from fine-needle aspirates (FNA) could be a major improvement of the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Objective. Before this can be clinically implemented, a robust and non-toxic method for obtaining sufficient quantity and quality of RNA from single in vivo FNA has to be established. RNAlater is a non-toxic RNA-stabilizing agent. However, due to the high density of RNAlater, pelleting of the tissue samples is difficult, and results in low recovery of RNA that is insufficient for subsequent miRNA array expression analysis. We therefore developed a simple centrifugation method for capturing tissue stored in RNAlater on a 0.45-μm filter. Design. FNA from 24 patients with a solitary cold thyroid nodule was stored in Trizol, liquid nitrogen, or RNAlater. The tissue stored in RNAlater was either pelleted by centrifugation or captured on the 0.45-μm filters. RNA was extracted using the Trizol method. To validate results, FNA from additional 30 patients were analyzed based on the modified RNAlater protocol. Main outcome. Capturing FNA tissue samples on the filters increased the RNA yield 10 fold and maintained RNA purity, permitting miRNA array expression profiling and allowing comparable levels of known miRNA-clusters regardless of preservation technique. Results were confirmed in an additional 30 patients. Conclusion. The modified RNAlater protocol is well suited for isolating RNA from single thyroid in vivo FNA in a clinical setting. Furthermore this permits shipping of FNA samples at room temperature from peripheral centers to a centralized array core facility.     

Thyroid nodules: Clinical effect of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) was performed on 268 thyroid nodules (135 palpable, 133 nonpalpable) in 210 patients with various thyroid conditions; 62 nodules also had palpation-guided FNA. Surgical pathology was obtained in 67 malignant nodules and 32 benign nodules. Although the initial failure rate for palpation-guided FNA (12 of 62) was significantly higher than that for US-guided FNA (10 of 268) (p < 0.001), sensitivity (96%), specificity (91%), accuracy (94%), and positive (96%) and negative predictive values (91%) of US-guided FNA for malignancy (n = 99) were not significantly different from those (88%, 90%, 88%, 95%, and 75%, respectively) of palpation-guided FNA (n = 34) for those nodules where an adequate biopsy was obtained. US-guided FNA established a correct diagnosis in 20 of 22 patients with nonpalpable malignancy and in another nodule in the opposite thyroid lobe in 16 of 17 patients with thyroid malignancy. This procedure determined the correct cancer staging in 19 of 21 patients. US-guided FNA can reliably (1) select a patient who needs surgery and (2) avoid unnecessary surgery. This technique will help determine a cancer staging and institute an appropriate treatment. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

声触诊组织量化鉴别诊断甲状腺实性结节的良恶性

目的 探讨声触诊组织量化技术(VTQ)在甲状腺实性结节良恶性鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法 采用VTQ技术测量经病理证实的101例患者共129个甲状腺实性结节及周边甲状腺组织剪切波速度(SWV),以病理诊断为金标准,绘制SWV诊断甲状腺实性恶性结节的ROC曲线,获得结节SWV诊断恶性结节的最佳截点。结果 甲状腺实性恶性结节的SWV[(3.15±1.91)m/s]大于良性结节[(2.06±0.54)m/s,P<0.01]。以SWV=2.43 m/s为截点诊断甲状腺实性恶性结节的敏感度、特异度分别为67.80%(40/59)、91.43%(64/70)。甲状腺恶性结节与周边甲状腺组织SWV比值(1.56±0.86)大于良性结节与周边甲状腺组织SWV比值(1.00±0.29,P<0.01)。结论 VTQ技术可量化甲状腺结节硬度,对鉴别诊断甲状腺实性结节具有较高的应用价值。     

Utility of the Ultrasound Elastographic Systolic Thyroid Stiffness Index in Reducing Fine‐Needle Aspirations

Objective . The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ultrasound elastography performed by using carotid pulsation as a compression source and generating the systolic thyroid stiffness index (STSI) can be used as a pre–fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) screening tool. Method . Ultrasound data previously acquired from 62 thyroid nodules in 59 patients who underwent a thyroid FNA were used. Pulsation from the carotid artery was used as the compression source, and the strain was calculated offline. A metric called the STSI was computed for each nodule during systole. On the basis of the derived STSI value, thyroid nodules were retrospectively classified into 2 types: I, no FNA (observation only); and II, FNA. Results . The STSI value of malignant nodules (n = 12) was significantly higher than that of benign nodules (n = 39; P < .00002). Using an STSI cutoff value of 10, 31 nodules were classified as type I, all of which were benign, whereas 20 nodules were classified as type II, 12 malignant and 8 benign, with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 79.4%. This suggests that ultrasound elastography could have screened out 31 type I nodules, reducing the number of FNAs by 60.8%. Conclusion . Thyroid ultrasound elastography has the potential to substantially reduce the number of FNA biopsies by detecting type I benign nodules. Patients with suspicious type II nodules would be referred for an FNA. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of thyroid ultrasound elastography as a triage tool to FNA.     

Cytopathologic diagnosis of fine needle aspiration biopsies of thyroid nodules

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is an important diagnostic tool in patients with thyroid lesions. Several systems have been proposed for the cyropathologic diagnosis of the thyroid nodules. However cases with indeterminate cytological findings still remain a matter of debate. In this review we analyze all literature regarding Thyroid Cytopathology Reporting systems trying to identify the most suitable methodology to use in clinical practice for the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules. A review of the English literature was conducted, and data were analyzed and summarized and integrated from the authors’ perspective. The main purpose of thyroid FNA is to identify patients with higher risk for malignancy, and to prevent unnecessary surgeries for benign conditions. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology is the most widely used system for the diagnosis of thyroid FNA specimens. This system also contains guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of indeterminate or suspicious for malignancy cases. In conclusion, patients who require repeated FNAs for indeterminate diagnoses will be resolved by repeat FNA in a percentage of 72%-80%.     

甲状腺超声征象报告和数据系统分级诊断甲状腺结节的应用

目的探讨甲状腺超声征象报告和数据系统(TI-RADS)分级对甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析214例甲状腺结节患者共311个结节的声像图资料,采用TI-RADS分级进行评价,并与术后病理结果进行比较。结果良性结节以TI-RADS 2~4a级为主,恶性结节以TI-RADS 4b~5级为主。应用TI-RADS分级诊断恶性甲状腺结节的准确率为87.14%,敏感度为84.21%,特异度为87.80%,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.908(95%CI 0.866,0.949)。结论超声诊断中应用TI-RADS分级对甲状腺结节进行定性具有较高诊断效能。     

CEUS灌注模式鉴别诊断甲状腺良恶性结节

目的 探讨CEUS灌注模式鉴别诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的价值。方法 回顾性分析111例甲状腺结节患者（111个结节）的颈部CEUS图像及临床资料,通过评价造影灌注模式判断结节的良恶性。以病理结果为最终诊断标准,评价CEUS对甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断效能。结果 病理诊断甲状腺良性结节14例,恶性结节97例。CEUS诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的敏感度为92.78%（90/97）,特异度64.29%（9/14）,准确率89.19%（99/111）,阳性预测值94.74%（90/95）,阴性预测值56.25%（9/16）。结论 CEUS灌注模式对鉴别诊断甲状腺良恶性结节具有一定价值。     

18F-FDG PET/CT诊断甲状腺结节

目的 探讨18氟脱氧葡萄糖(¹⁸F-FDG)PET/CT对甲状腺结节的诊断价值。方法 回顾性分析接受¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT检查并有明确病理结果的甲状腺结节患者79例(94个结节)。对比甲状腺恶性与良性结节的最大标准化摄取值(SUV_max),并进行ROC曲线分析,计算¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的灵敏度、特异度、准确率、阳性预测值及阴性预测值。结果 共94个结节,恶性、良性结节分别为53个(53/94,56.38%)和41个(41/94,43.62%)。甲状腺恶性、良性结节的SUV_max分别为7.15±5.09和2.58±1.19,差异有统计学意义(Z=5.33,P<0.01)。SUV_max诊断恶性甲状腺结节的ROC曲线下面积为0.82(95%CI:0.74~0.91,P<0.01),SUV_max界值为4.50时,灵敏度与特异度之和最大,为1.56。¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT诊断的灵敏度、特异度、准确率、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为79.25%(42/53)、80.49%(33/41)、79.79%(75/94)、84.00%(42/50)、75.00%(33/44)。结论 ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT可以判断甲状腺良、恶性结节,SUV_max界值应为4.50。     

超声造影与增强CT鉴别诊断良恶性甲状腺结节

目的 对比超声造影（CEUS）与增强CT鉴别诊断良恶性甲状腺结节的价值。方法 纳入179例甲状腺结节患者、共229个结节,根据结节性质分为良性组（n=83）和恶性组（n=146）;观察结节CEUS和增强CT特征,以病理结果为金标准,对比2种影像学方法鉴别诊断良恶性甲状腺结节的效能。结果 良、恶性组甲状腺结节CEUS增强强度、增强模式及有无环绕增强差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.05）;增强CT强化特点、边缘情况、甲状腺边缘有无中断及钙化性质差异亦均有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。CEUS诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的敏感度、特异度及准确率分别为89.73%、78.31%及85.59%;增强CT诊断分别为78.08%、71.08%及75.55%。结论 CEUS和增强CT鉴别甲状腺良恶性结节均有一定价值;CEUS的诊断效能总体优于增强CT。     

Computerized detection and quantification of microcalcifications in thyroid nodules

To improve the ultrasonographic detection rates of thyroid cancers with microcalcifications, we propose to enhance the sensitivity of sonographic calcifications detection and to avoid interobserver variation by a computerized quantification method in a prospective setting. A total of 227 participants with 258 nodules were evaluated. Among them, two nodules were excluded for suspicious aspiration cytology results without pathologic proof. Among the remaining 256 nodules, the diagnosis of 181 nodules was verified by surgical pathology and the diagnosis of 75 was based on fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy results. There were 173 benign thyroid nodules and 83 malignant thyroid nodules, which included 74 papillary carcinomas. Patient clinical data were collected and the presence of calcifications on conventional gray-scale ultrasound images was retrospectively reviewed by a thyroid specialist. Quantification of cystic components and calcifications was automatically performed by a proprietary program (AmCAD-UT) implemented with methods proposed in this article. The calcification index (CI) was calculated after the cystic component was excluded. The CI between benign and malignant nodules diagnosed by combined FNA biopsy and surgical pathology results (total number, 256) showed a significant difference (p < 0.0001, AUC = 0.746). Furthermore, we excluded patients without surgical pathology results for further validation and the CI between benign and malignant nodules confirmed by pathology results (total number, 181) showed a significant difference (p < 0.0001, AUC = 0.763). To learn whether our computer program increased our diagnostic capabilities, we analyzed human investigators and their abilities to detect and evaluate. In this study, calcifications were noted in 48.19% (40 of 83) of malignant thyroid nodules and in 10.98% (19 of 173) of benign nodules. This new computer-aided diagnosis method to evaluate the sonographic calcifications of thyroid nodules is a more sensitive and more objective method. It can provide better sensitivity than conventional methods in the diagnosis of thyroid malignancies containing microcalcifications.     

剪切波弹性成像诊断18F-FDG PET/CT显像甲状腺局灶性高代谢偶发瘤

目的 探讨超声剪切波弹性成像对¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT显像高代谢的甲状腺局灶性良恶性偶发瘤的诊断价值。方法 对因非甲状腺疾病接受¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT显像、并存在甲状腺局灶性高代谢偶发瘤的61例患者（67个病灶）行超声剪切波弹性成像,测量偶发瘤的剪切波速度（SWV）,联合常规二维超声判断甲状腺偶发瘤的良恶性,并与病理结果对照,比较良恶性偶发瘤间SWV值的差异,以ROC曲线评价SWV值的诊断效能。结果 67个高代谢偶发瘤中,恶性38个,良性29个。常规二维超声联合剪切波弹性成像诊断恶性偶发瘤的敏感度为89.47%（34/38）,特异度为86.21%（25/29）,准确率为88.06%（59/67）。良性和恶性偶发瘤的SWV分别为（2.06±0.75）m/s和（4.64±1.75）m/s,差异有统计学意义（t=8.133,P<0.001）。ROC曲线分析结果显示,SWV值诊断恶性偶发瘤的AUC为0.946（P<0.001）,临界值为2.28 m/s时,敏感度为97.4%,特异度为82.8%,约登指数最大,为0.802。结论 超声剪切波弹性成像对¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT显像高代谢甲状腺局灶性偶发瘤具有较高诊断价值,以SWV=2.28 m/s为临界值时诊断效能最大。     

微血管成像联合FNA在甲状腺良恶性结节中的应用

目的探讨微血管成像(SMI)联合细针穿刺(FNA)检查在甲状腺结节良恶性诊断中的临床应用价值。方法选取215例甲状腺结节患者,术前均做SMI、FNA检查。基于SMI、FNA及二者联合对诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的真实性、可靠性和收益评价,建立ROC曲线评价系统并计算ROC曲线下面积(AUC)。结果 SMI与FNA的灵敏度、特异度及准确率差异无统计学意义,P>0.05;SMI和FNA联合诊断的灵敏度、特异度、准确率为91.2%、92.4%、92.0%、约登指数为0.76、ROC曲线下面积为0.91,高于各单项检查。结论微血管成像结合FNA能够提高超声对甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断效能。     

剪切波弹性成像诊断甲状腺结节Meta分析

目的应用Meta分析评价剪切波弹性成像诊断甲状腺结节的价值。方法计算机检索PubMed、Nature、中国期刊全文数据库CNKI和万方等数据库,收集关于甲状腺结节剪切波弹性成像的中英文文献,根据诊断性试验研究的纳入标准纳入和排除文献,应用Meta-Disc1.4软件对纳入的研究结果进行Meta分析并绘制汇总受试者工作特征(SROC)曲线,计算曲线下面积。结果最终纳入5篇文献、共586个甲状腺病灶,病理结果显示良性结节481个,恶性结节105个。剪切波弹性成像诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的敏感度0.84[95%CI(0.75~0.90)],特异度0.86[95%CI(0.83~0.89)],阳性似然比6.35[95%CI(2.64~15.24)],阴性似然比为0.20[95%CI(0.13~0.31)],诊断比值比31.21[95%CI(12.40~78.53)],诊断试验的SROC曲线下面积为0.9037(Q*=0.8353)。结论应用剪切波弹性成像诊断甲状腺结节的敏感度和特异度均较高,能够作为甲状腺结节的无创诊断方法。     

超声定量评价甲状腺结节包膜反应

目的 探讨超声定量评价甲状腺结节与包膜的关系对于术前评估甲状腺结节良恶性的价值。方法 回顾性分析79例经病理证实的、位于甲状腺包膜下肿瘤,分析其与包膜的关系,通过测量结节纵径（自结节包膜交界处至结节最深处,V）及结节凸出甲状腺包膜与突出最高处的距离（L）,评价L/V诊断甲状腺恶性结节的效能。结果 甲状腺良性和恶性结节平均L/V值分别为0.241±0.041、0.162±0.054,差异有统计学意义（t=-7.367,P<0.01）。L/V诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的ROC曲线下面积为0.87（P<0.01）。L/V=0.225时,诊断甲状腺恶性结节的敏感度为82.17%、特异度为87.53%;L/V=0.245时,诊断甲状腺恶性结节的敏感度为67.10%,特异度为95.12%。结论 超声可清晰显示甲状腺结节与包膜的关系,通过测量L/V可鉴别诊断甲状腺结节的良恶性。     

三维容积成像在甲状腺实性结节诊断中的应用

目的 探讨三维容积成像在甲状腺实性结节良恶性鉴别中的应用价值。方法 对119例甲状腺实性结节手术患者共144个结节行二维及三维超声检查,利用三维容积及断层技术行三维重建,分析良恶性结节的冠状面成像特征,评价其诊断价值。结果 144个结节中,良性结节75例,恶性结节69例。冠状面成像特征中,良恶性结节的形态、边界、边缘有无成角或毛刺、内部回声及有无微钙化差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。建立Logistic回归模型,最终进入模型的甲状腺恶性结节冠状面成像特征包括形态不规则、边缘成角或毛刺、低回声。三维超声诊断甲状腺恶性实性结节的敏感度为92.75%(64/69),特异度为85.33%(64/75),准确率为88.89%(128/144),均高于二维超声[89.86%(62/69),80.00%(60/75),84.72%(122/144)],但两者的诊断效能差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。结论 在三维冠状面成像中,甲状腺良恶性结节的特征差异显著。三维容积成像在甲状腺实性结节的良恶性鉴别诊断中具有重要的价值。     

Cystic Thyroid Nodules After Aspiration Mimicking Malignancy

Objective. The purpose of our study was to provide sonographic findings of cystic nodules, which can mimic malignancies, after fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) and to determine the differential points from malignancies. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the sonographic findings of 33 lesions in 32 patients who had FNA for predominantly cystic nodules or cysts and showed suspicious findings during sonographic follow‐up, as well as findings of 47 surgically confirmed papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) in 45 consecutive patients. We evaluated the size, shape, presence of shadowing and a halo, margin, echogenicity, and presence of echogenic dots for each nodule. The final diagnosis of cystic nodules was confirmed by FNA, surgery, or follow‐up sonography. Results. Of the 33 cystic lesions, 31 (94%) were adequate with benign results, and 2 (6%) were inadequate specimens at the initial FNA. There were no malignancies in the cystic nodules at follow‐up. The average interval between the initial FNA and suspicious sonographic findings was 26 months (range, 1–92 months). The average size of the suspicious nodules was 0.8 cm (range, 0.3–1.8 cm). Cystic nodules after aspiration were similar to PTCs in their sonographic findings, but the former frequently showed shadowing and a halo (85% versus 21%; P < .0001). With further follow‐up, 29 lesions (88%) showed additional decreases in size. Conclusions. Benign cystic nodules after aspiration can have suspicious malignant features. However, shadowing and a halo associated with malignant features are characteristic findings of cystic nodule shrinkage. Awareness of these findings and correlation with the FNA history can aid in preventing unnecessary FNA.     

多基因检测有助于甲状腺细针穿刺诊断不明确类型结节

目的  探讨多基因检测对甲状腺细针穿刺（FNA）意义不明确类型结节的诊断价值。方法  选取2018年8月~2020年5月河北医科大学第四医院56例符合甲状腺C-TIRADS 4类结节FNA诊断为意义不明确的细胞非典型病变或滤泡性病变行多基因检测。以术后病理诊断结果为“金标准”,56例FNA诊断意义不明确类型结节中TBSRTC Ⅲ级42例,TBSRTC Ⅳ级12例,TBSRTC Ⅴ级2例,均取得基因检测结果报告。比较BRAF V600E突变结果和多基因检测结果的敏感度、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值。结果  56例FNA诊断意义不明确类型结节中术后病理诊断为良性2例（1例为结节性甲状腺肿,1例甲状腺腺瘤）,术后病理诊断为恶性54例（50例甲状腺乳头状癌,4例甲状腺髓样癌）,C-TIRADS 4A类结节直径22.5±23.3 mm,其中结节的直径≤10 mm的2例,C-TIRADS 4B类结节直径8.0±7.1 mm,其中结节的直径≤10 mm的14例,C-TIRADS 4C类结节直径7.0±6.2 mm,其中结节的直径≤10 mm的36例。BRAF单基因检测诊断意义不明确类型结节良恶性的敏感度、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为60.0%、25.0%、56.7%、91.3%、3.45%;多基因检测结合C-TIRADS分类诊断意义不明确类型结节良恶性的敏感度、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为80.0%、86.4%、75.7%、93.3%、65.5%,多基因检测方法比BRAF单基因检测具有更高的诊断准确率。结论  多基因检测有助于明确甲状腺细针穿刺意义不明确类型结节的诊断。