Strain US Elastography for the Characterization of Thyroid Nodules: Advantages and Limitation.

1. Int J Endocrinol. 2015;2015:908575. doi: 10.1155/2015/908575. Epub 2015 Apr 14.

Strain US Elastography for the Characterization of Thyroid Nodules: Advantages and Limitation.

Cantisani V1, Grazhdani H1, Drakonaki E2, D'Andrea V3, Di Segni M1, Kaleshi E4, Calliada F5, Catalano C1, Redler A3, Brunese L6, Drudi FM1, Fumarola A7, Carbotta G7, Frattaroli F3, Di Leo N1, Ciccariello M1, Caratozzolo M1, D'Ambrosio F1.

  • 1Department of Radiology, Anatomopathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
  • 2Venizelio Regional General Hospital of Heraklion, Leoforos Knosou, 714 09 Iraklio, Greece.
  • 3Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
  • 4University of Tirana, Rruga Arben Broci, Tirana, Albania.
  • 5University Hospital of Pavia, Viale Camillo Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
  • 6Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Contrada Tappino, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
  • 7Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy

Abstract

Thyroid nodules, with their high prevalence in the general population, represent a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Ultrasound (US), although absolutely reliable in detecting thyroid nodules, is still not accurate enough to differentiate them into benign and malignant. A promising novel modality, US elastography, has been introduced in order to further increase US accuracy. The purpose of this review article is to assess the thyroid application of US strain elastography, also known as real-time elastography or quasistatic elastography. We provide a presentation of the technique, and of up-to-date literature, analyzing the most prominent results reported for thyroid nodules differentiation. The practical advantages and limitations of strain elastography are extensively discussed herein.

PMCID: PMC4411438 Free PMC Article

PMID: 25954310 [PubMed]