Prospective evaluation in 123 patients of strain ratio as provided by quantitative elastosonography and multiparametric ultrasound evaluation (ultrasound score) for the characterisation of thyroid nodules Valutazione prospettica in 123 pazienti dell'indice di deformabilità (strain ratio) ottenuto con elastosonografia quantitativa e dell'analisi ecografica multiparametrica (eco-score) nella caratterizzazione del nodulo tiroideo

Abstract Purpose. This study was done to compare quantitative elastosonography and ultrasound analysis in the characterisation of thyroid nodules. Materials and methods. From July 2009 to September 2011, 123 patients with 147 thyroid nodules were included in our study. All patients enrolled had to undergo thyroidectomy because of nodular thyroid disease (goitre or nodules). After preliminary examination with conventional ultrasound (US) and colour Doppler US, the patients were examined with elastosonography, using high-level equipment (Toshiba Aplio XG) and quantitative software (Elasto-Q). Each lesion was characterised using an US score (echogenicity, borders, microcalcifications and colour Doppler pattern), and then by elastosonographic strain ratio. Each patient subsequently underwent thyroidectomy. Histological results were used as the gold standard. Results . Histological examination demonstrated 89 benign and 58 malignant lesions. On average, the strain ratio value was 2.84±2.69 (range, 0.05–14.5;