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A Swin Transformer-Based Model for Thyroid Nodule Detection in Ultrasound Images
Published on: April 21, 2023
Benign and malignant thyroid nodules: US differentiation--multicenter retrospective study.
Won-Jin Moon1, So Lyung Jung, Jeong Hyun Lee
1Department of Radiology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mdmoonwj@naver.com
Radiology
|April 12, 2008
Summary
Ultrasonography (US) criteria effectively differentiate benign from malignant thyroid nodules. Key indicators include shape, margin, echogenicity, and calcifications, though accuracy varies with nodule size.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Thyroid nodules are common, and distinguishing benign from malignant types is crucial for patient management.
- Ultrasonography (US) is a primary imaging modality for evaluating thyroid nodules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of specific ultrasonographic (US) criteria in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules.
- To establish the reliability of US findings compared to tissue diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 849 thyroid nodules (360 malignant, 489 benign) from 831 patients.
- Evaluation of US features including size, shape, margin, echotexture, echogenicity, and calcifications by three radiologists.
- Statistical analysis using chi-squared tests and multiple regression, calculating sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.
Main Results:
- Malignant features included taller-than-wide shape, spiculated margins, marked hypoechogenicity, and micro/macrocalcifications (all P < .05).
- Benign features included isoechogenicity and spongiform appearance (P < .001).
- Overall diagnostic accuracy was 78.0% (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 74.0%); microcalcification sensitivity decreased in nodules ≤1 cm.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonographic features like shape, margin, echogenicity, and calcifications are valuable for discriminating malignant from benign thyroid nodules.
- The diagnostic accuracy of US criteria is influenced by nodule size, with smaller nodules posing a greater challenge for microcalcification detection.
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