Analysis of tissue surrounding thyroid nodules by ultrasound digital images

Abstract

Since US is not easily reproducible, the digital image analysis (IA) has been proposed so that the image evaluation is not subjective. In fact, IA meets the criteria of objectivity, accurateness, and reproducibility by a matrix of pixels whose value is displayed in a gray level. This study aims at evaluating via IA the tissue surrounding a thyroid nodule (backyard tissue, BT) from goitres with benign (b-BT) and malignant (m-BT) lesions. Sixty-nine US images of thyroid nodules surrounded by adequate thyroid tissue was classified as normoechoic and homogeneous were enrolled as study group. Forty-three US images from normal thyroid (NT) glands were included as controls. Digital images of 800 × 652 pixels were acquired at a resolution of eight bits with a 256 gray levels depth. By one-way ANOVA, the 43 NT glands were not statistically different (P = 0.91). Mean gray level of normal glands was significantly higher than b-BT (P = 0.026), and m-BT (P = 0.0001), while no difference was found between b-BT and m-BT (P = 0.321). NT tissue boundary external to the nodule was found at 6.0 ± 0.5 mm in cancers and 4.0 ± 0.5 mm in benignancies (P = 0.001). These data should indicate that the tissue surrounding a thyroid nodule may be damaged even when assessed as normal by US. This is of interest to investigate the extranodular effects of thyroid tumors.

Accuracy of international ultrasound risk stratification systems in thyroid lesions cytologically classified as indeterminate

“…18 Finally Kuru et al recorded that solid echostructure, microcalcifications, blurred margins, hypoechogenicity, and increased vascularization have to be considered as independent risk factors. 20 As a potential limitation of the present study, this was a retrospective selection of patients with indeterminate FNA who had undergone final diagnostic surgery. 20 As a potential limitation of the present study, this was a retrospective selection of patients with indeterminate FNA who had undergone final diagnostic surgery.…”

“…19 This discrepancy between the ultrasound studies suggest the need for further potential applications of images. 20 As a potential limitation of the present study, this was a retrospective selection of patients with indeterminate FNA who had undergone final diagnostic surgery. This approach should reduce the statistical strength of results.…”

Artificial Intelligence in Thyroid Field—A Comprehensive Review

“…Medical images provide a comprehensive view of the tumor and its environment, and they can be used to improve the diagnostic accuracy of early lesions, to classify benign from malignant tissues and to define risk and improve therapy [ 43 , 68 ]. Imaging is a non-invasive method and with no risk of the infections or the complications that accompany biopsies [ 2 ].…”

Model-Optimizing Radiofrequency Parameters of 3D Finite Element Analysis for Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules

“…Thyroid nodules represent an increase in thyroid volume with overgrowth and structural or functional transformations of one or more areas of the thyroid gland [1]. Benign thyroid nodules are a prevalent clinical problem that affects a significant portion of the population [2,3]. According to studies conducted on adults living in iodine-sufficient areas, approximately 4-7 percent of women and 1 percent of men have palpable thyroid nodules [4].…”