Diagnostic accuracy of S-Detect in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules: A meta-analysis

In this meta-analysis study, the main objective was to determine the accuracy of S-detect in effectively distinguishing malignant thyroid nodules from benign thyroid nodules.

We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases from inception to August 1, 2021. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 14.0 and Meta-Disc version 1.4 softwares. We calculated summary statistics for sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+/LR-), diagnostic odds ratio(DOR), and receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves. Cochran's Q-statistic and I2 test were used to evaluate potential heterogeneity between studies. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of single studies on the overall estimate. We also performed meta-regression analyses to investigate the potential sources of heterogeneity.

In this study, a total of 17 studies meeting the requirements of the standard were used. The number of benign and malignant nodules analyzed and evaluated in this paper was 1595 and 1118 respectively. This paper mainly completes the required histological confirmation through s-detect. The pooled Sen and pooled Spe were 0.87 and 0.74, respectively, (95%CI = 0.84-0.89) and (95%CI = 0.66-0.81). Furthermore, the pooled LR+ and negative LR- were determined to be 3.37 (95%CI = 2.53-4.50) and 0.18 (95%CI = 0.15-0.21), respectively. The experimental results showed that the pooled DOR of thyroid nodules was 18.83 (95% CI = 13.21-26.84). In addition, area under SROC curve was determined to be 0.89 (SE = 0.0124). It should be pointed out that there is no evidence of bias (i.e. t = 0.25, P = 0.80).

Through this meta-analysis, it can be seen that the accuracy of s-detect is relatively high for the effective distinction between malignant thyroid nodules and benign thyroid nodules.