The aim was to investigate the diagnostic performance of elastography in the assessment of malignancy in thyroid nodules with atypia of unclassified significance (AUS) or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS) cytology.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional analysis was performed on 152 patient cases of thyroid nodules with resulting AUS cytology. Thyroid sonograms and elastography were completed on the thyroid nodules, as well as the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging (ACR-TIRADS) classifications applied.
Results:
The data analysis confirmed a statistically significant difference in the stiffness of thyroid tissue when comparing malignant and benign lesions (p < .001). The elastography strain ratio was significantly increased in the malignant thyroid lesions (p < .001).
Conclusion:
This level of evidence underscores the potential of elastography and ACR-TIRADS classification to enhance the diagnostic detection of malignancy in AUS thyroid nodules. The combination of these sonographic techniques and classifications may improve malignancy detection and reduce invasive interventions.
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