[Artificial intelligence in ultrasound diagnosis of thyroid nodules]

To analyze the efficacy of the S-Detect AI system of the Samsung RS85 ultrasound scanner (South Korea) in stratifying thyroid nodules compared to data obtained by specialist of ultrasound diagnostics.

In 2024, we analyzed ultrasound data of 80 patients with thyroid nodules who required fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Patients underwent thyroid ultrasound with nodule assessment according to the EU TI-RADS classification (GE Voluson E8 scanner, USA). After that, each patient underwent repeated thyroid ultrasound (Samsung RS85 scanner with built-in AI algorithms) to stratify nodules according to the EU TI-RADS classification. After ultrasound, all patients underwent FNAB of nodules with subsequent assessment of cytological results according to the Bethesda classification (2023). We assessed sensitivity, specificity and prognostic value of assessment by expert and AI.

Ensitivity, specificity and diagnostic value were high for both expert opinion and AI. However, AI was prone to overdiagnosis. At the same time, expert assessment was characterized by more common false negative results. Diagnostic value of studies conducted by expert and AI was similar.

At the modern stage, AI algorithms do not show significant advantages in stratifying thyroid tumors over ultrasound diagnostician with extensive experience.