BACKGROUND Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and ultrasound are commonly used methods to examine thyroid nodules, but their comparative value is rarely studied. We evaluated the utility of DWI and ultrasound in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. METHODS A total of 100 patients with 137 nodules who underwent both DWI and ultrasound before operation were enrolled. The T1 and T2 signal intensity ratio (SIR) of each thyroid nodule was calculated by measuring the mean signal intensity divided by that of paraspinal muscle. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and the SIR of benign and malignant thyroid nodules were analyzed by two-sample independent t tests. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DWI and ultrasound were compared with chi-square tests. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the SIR between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The ADC value was significantly different. At the threshold value was 1.12 × 10- 3 mm2/s, the maximum area under the curve was 0.944. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 84.9, 92.2, and 87.6% respectively. The corresponding values of ultrasound diagnosis were 90.1, 80.4, and 86.9%. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound has high sensitivity in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and the ADC value has high specificity, but there is no statistical difference in sensitivity or specificity between the two modalities. DWI and ultrasound each have their own advantages in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

中文翻译：

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甲状腺结节弥散加权成像和超声的比较分析。

背景技术弥散加权成像（DWI）和超声检查是检查甲状腺结节的常用方法，但其比较价值很少被研究。我们评估了DWI和超声在区分甲状腺良恶性结节中的实用性。方法纳入100例137个结节的患者，这些患者在术前接受了DWI和超声检查。通过测量平均信号强度除以椎旁肌的平均信号强度，计算每个甲状腺结节的T1和T2信号强度比（SIR）。通过独立于两个样本的t检验分析了表观扩散系数（ADC）值和甲状腺良恶性结节的SIR。将DWI和超声的敏感性，特异性和准确性与卡方检验进行了比较。结果甲状腺良恶性结节的SIR无明显差异。ADC值明显不同。阈值为1.12×10-3 mm2 / s时，曲线下的最大面积为0.944。敏感性，特异性和准确性分别为84.9、92.2和87.6％。超声诊断的相应值为90.1、80.4和86.9％。结论超声对甲状腺良恶性结节的鉴别具有很高的敏感性，ADC值具有很高的特异性，但两种方法在敏感性或特异性方面无统计学差异。DWI和超声在区分甲状腺良恶性结节方面各有优势。12×10-3 mm2 / s，曲线下的最大面积为0.944。敏感性，特异性和准确性分别为84.9、92.2和87.6％。超声诊断的相应值为90.1、80.4和86.9％。结论超声对甲状腺良恶性结节的鉴别具有很高的敏感性，ADC值具有很高的特异性，但两种方法在敏感性或特异性方面无统计学差异。DWI和超声在区分甲状腺良恶性结节方面各有优势。12×10-3 mm2 / s，曲线下的最大面积为0.944。敏感性，特异性和准确性分别为84.9、92.2和87.6％。超声诊断的相应值为90.1、80.4和86.9％。结论超声对甲状腺良恶性结节的鉴别具有很高的敏感性，ADC值具有很高的特异性，但两种方法在敏感性或特异性方面无统计学差异。DWI和超声在区分甲状腺良恶性结节方面各有优势。结论超声对甲状腺良恶性结节的鉴别具有很高的敏感性，ADC值具有很高的特异性，但两种方法在敏感性或特异性方面无统计学差异。DWI和超声在区分良性和恶性甲状腺结节方面各有优势。结论超声对甲状腺良恶性结节的鉴别具有很高的敏感性，ADC值具有很高的特异性，但两种方法在敏感性或特异性方面无统计学差异。DWI和超声在区分甲状腺良恶性结节方面各有优势。