Analysis of differences of ultrasound features in different courses of thyroid carcinoma

To explore the changes of ultrasound features in patients with different courses of thyroid carcinoma, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment and diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma.

A total of 160 patients with thyroid carcinoma treated in our hospital were enrolled and divided into the early stage group (n=76) and the advanced stage group (n=84) according to the results of pathological examination, and further grouped into the lymph node metastasis group (n=78) and the non-metastasis group (n=82). Another 80 patients with benign thyroid disease were enrolled as the benign group. All the enrolled subjects were subjected to ultrasound examination, and the differences of ultrasound features were compared between the different groups.

The average diameter of tumour and the proportion of nodular calcification and heterogeneous echo in the advanced stage group were significantly higher than those in the early stage group (P<0.05). The proportions of nodular calcification, heterogeneous echo, unsmooth margins, the aspect ratio of 1 or above, and irregular shapes in the malignant group were significantly higher than those in the benign group (P<0.05). The proportions of nodular calcification, heterogeneous echo, unsmooth margins, the aspect ratio of 1 or above, irregular shapes, multiple nodules, the largest diameter greater than 10 mm, rich blood flow, and absent halo in the lymph node metastasis group were significantly higher than those in the non-metastasis group (P<0.05).

There were significant differences of ultrasound features in the different courses of thyroid carcinoma. Ultrasound examination can provide important reference for later clinical diagnosis and treatment.