Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39375254›Full record

ArticleEndocrine2025

Improving the diagnostic strategy for thyroid nodules: a combination of artificial intelligence-based computer-aided diagnosis system and shear wave elastography.

Ziman Chen, Nonhlanhla Chambara, Xina Lo, Shirley Yuk Wah Liu, Simon Takadiyi Gunda, Xinyang Han, Michael Tin Cheung Ying

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Endocrine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ziman ChenDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong. chenzm27@mail3.sysu.edu.cn.
Nonhlanhla ChambaraSchool of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Xina LoDepartment of Surgery, North District Hospital, Sheung Shui, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Shirley Yuk Wah LiuDepartment of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Simon Takadiyi GundaDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Xinyang HanDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Michael Tin Cheung YingDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong. michael.ying@polyu.edu.hk.

Funding

Hong Kong Polytechnic University P0048845
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThyroid nodules are highly prevalent in the general population, posing a clinical challenge in accurately distinguishing between benign and malignant cases. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of different strategies, utilizing a combination of a computer-aided diagnosis system (AmCAD) and shear wave elastography (SWE) imaging, to effectively differentiate benign and malignant thyroid nodules in ultrasonography.

methodsA total of 126 thyroid nodules with pathological confirmation were prospectively included in this study. The AmCAD was utilized to analyze the ultrasound imaging characteristics of the nodules, while the SWE was employed to measure their stiffness in both transverse and longitudinal thyroid scans. Twelve diagnostic patterns were formed by combining AmCAD diagnosis and SWE values, including isolation, series, parallel, and integration. The diagnostic performance was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, missed malignancy rate, and unnecessary biopsy rate were also determined.

resultsVarious diagnostic schemes have shown specific advantages in terms of diagnostic performance. Overall, integrating AmCAD with SWE imaging in the transverse scan yielded the most favorable diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 72.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 63.0-81.5%), outperforming other diagnostic schemes. Furthermore, in the subgroup analysis of nodules measuring <2 cm or 2-4 cm, the integrated scheme consistently exhibited promising diagnostic performance, with AUCs of 74.2% (95% CI: 61.9-86.4%) and 77.4% (95% CI: 59.4-95.3%) respectively, surpassing other diagnostic schemes. The integrated scheme also effectively addressed thyroid nodule management by reducing the missed malignancy rate to 9.5% and unnecessary biopsy rate to 22.2%.

conclusionThe integration of AmCAD and SWE imaging in the transverse thyroid scan significantly enhances the diagnostic performance for distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules. This strategy offers clinicians the advantage of obtaining more accurate clinical diagnoses and making well-informed decisions regarding patient management.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceDiagnosis, Computer-AssistedElasticity Imaging TechniquesThyroid NeoplasmsThyroid NoduleAdultAgedDiagnosis, DifferentialFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesSensitivity and SpecificityThyroid GlandYoung AdultComputer-aided diagnosisShear wave elastographyThyroid noduleUltrasound

Identifiers

PMID39375254
PMCPMC11811255

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.