- ISSN: 1573-4056
- E-ISSN: 1875-6603
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oa The Value of Multimodal Ultrasound Based on Machine Learning Algorithms in the Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules of TI-RADS Category 4: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
- Source: Current Medical Imaging, Volume 21, Issue 1, Jan 2025, E15734056404285
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- 13 May 2025
- 04 Aug 2025
- 01 Jan 2025
Abstract
Ultrasound is routinely used for thyroid nodule diagnosis, yet distinguishing benign from malignant TI-RADS category 4 nodules remains challenging. This study has integrated two-dimensional ultrasound, shear wave elastography (SWE), and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features via machine learning to improve diagnostic accuracy for these nodules.
A total of 117 TI-RADS 4 thyroid nodules from 108 patients were included and classified as benign or malignant based on pathological results. Two-dimensional ultrasound, CEUS, and SWE were compared. Predictive features were selected using LASSO regression. Feature importance was further validated using Random Forest, SVM, and XGBoost algorithms. A logistic regression model was constructed and visualized as a nomogram. Model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).
Malignant nodules exhibited significantly elevated serum FT3, FT4, FT3/FT4, TSH, and TI-RADS scores compared to benign lesions. Key imaging discriminators included unclear boundaries, aspect ratio ≥1, low internal echo, microcalcifications on ultrasound; enhancement degree, circumferential enhancement, and excretion on CEUS; and elevated SWE values (Emax, Emean, Esd, etc.) and altered CEUS quantitative parameters (PE, WiR, WoR, etc.) (all P< 0.05). A nomogram integrating four optimal predictors, including Emax, FT4, TI-RADS, and ∆PE, demonstrated robust predictive performance upon validation by ROC, calibration, and DCA curve analysis.
The nomogram incorporating Emax, FT4, TI-RADS, and ∆PE showed high predictive accuracy, particularly for papillary carcinoma in TI-RADS 4 nodules. Its applicability may, however, be constrained by the single-center retrospective design and limited pathological coverage.
The multimodal ultrasound-based machine learning model effectively predicted malignancy in TI-RADS category 4 thyroid nodules.
