Qualitative elastography can replace thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration in patients with soft thyroid nodules. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Context: Only a minority of thyroid nodules is malignant; nevertheless, many invasive diagnostic procedures are performed to distinguish between benign and malignant nodules. Qualitative ultrasound elastography is a non-invasive technique to evaluate thyroid nodules.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of qualitative elastography in distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules in patients referred for fine-needle aspiration (FNA).

Data sources: A systematic literature search (PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library) was performed.

Study selection: Included studies reported thyroid nodule elastography color scores and the related cytologic or histologic findings in patients with a thyroid nodule referred for FNA.

Data extraction: Two independent reviewers extracted study data and assessed study quality. Pooled sensitivities and specificities of different populations were calculated using a bivariate Bayesian framework.

Data synthesis: Twenty studies including thyroid nodules were analyzed. Pooled results of elastography indicate a summary sensitivity of 85% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79-90%) and specificity of 80% (95% CI, 73-86%). The respective pooled negative predictive and positive predictive values were 97% (95% CI, 94-98%) and 40% (95% CI, 34-48%). The pretest probability of a benign nodule was 82%. Only 3.7% of the false-negative nodules was a follicular thyroid carcinoma. A pooled negative predictive value of 99% (95% CI, 97-100%) was found when only complete soft nodules (Asteria elastography 1) were classified as benign, which included 14% of the studied population.

Conclusions: Elastography has a fair specificity and sensitivity for diagnostic accuracy. Its major strength entails the detection of benignity, especially when only completely soft nodules are qualified as benign. The outcomes of our analysis show that FNA could safely be omitted in patients referred for analysis of their thyroid nodule when elastography shows it to be completely soft (Asteria elastography 1). This could prevent unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures in a substantial portion of patients.

Keywords: Elastography; Fine-needle aspiration; Malignancy; Meta-analysis; Review; Thyroid nodule; Ultrasound.