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A Swin Transformer-Based Model for Thyroid Nodule Detection in Ultrasound Images
Published on: April 21, 2023
Thyroid nodularity--true epidemic or improved diagnostics
Josip Stanicić1, Marin Prpić, Tomislav Jukić
1University Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.
Acta Clinica Croatica
|April 22, 2010
Summary
Thyroid nodules are increasingly detected due to advanced imaging like ultrasonography. However, routine screening is discouraged, recommending use only when a thyroid specialist indicates it for clinical reasons.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Public Health
Background:
- Rising incidence of thyroid nodules over 30 years.
- Introduction of advanced diagnostic tools like ultrasonography and computerized tomography.
- Challenges in managing the increasing number of detected thyroid nodules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the prevalence of thyroid nodules across different diagnostic methods.
- To evaluate the clinical significance of ultrasonography-detected thyroid nodules.
- To provide recommendations on the appropriate use of thyroid ultrasonography.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of data from multiple studies.
- Review of prevalence rates from autopsy, palpation, and ultrasonography.
- Assessment of diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity of ultrasonography.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates: autopsy (13%-60%), palpation (0.5%-6.5%), ultrasonography (13.4%-46%).
- Ultrasonography demonstrates high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting thyroid nodules.
- A significant number of incidentally discovered nodules lack clinical significance.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid ultrasonography is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool.
- Increased use of ultrasonography leads to a rise in incidentally found, clinically insignificant nodules.
- Ultrasonography of the thyroid should be reserved for cases with a clear clinical indication from a thyroid specialist.
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