Advances and Future Prospects in Thyroid Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (2021-2024)

Thyroid nodules are a common clinical condition of the endocrine system,and their diagnosis and differential diagnosis remain a serious challenge in the medical community.Since the first observation of acoustic enhancement in 1969,contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has gradually matured through two major phases:the development of contrast agents (1990s) and the innovation of imaging algorithms (early 21st century).Since being introduced into clinical practice in China,2003,CEUS has undergone over two decades of localized development.Its capability for microcirculation perfusion imaging has established it as a core imaging tool for dynamic blood flow assessment in critical clinical scenarios,including the distinguishing between benign and malignant nodules,early cancer screening,and the formulation of individualized treatment plans.In recent years,with the advancements in instrument performance and the emergence of novel contrast agents,CEUS has demonstrated increasingly prominent roles in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases.This article reviews the application progress of CEUS in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases in China from 2021 to 2024.It explores the clinical application value of CEUS in thyroid nodule diagnosis,lymph node evaluation,assessment of thyroid cancer invasiveness,and guidance for thermal ablation therapy.Additionally,it makes an outlook on the future integration of CEUS with emerging technologies such as molecular ultrasound,artificial intelligence,and robotic technology,aiming to provide new insights and approaches for the precise diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases.