Superb microvascular imaging for distinguishing thyroid nodules: A meta-analysis (PRISMA). Issue 24 (17th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Hui; Wang, Cong; Jin, Xin
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 101:Issue 24(2022)
• Page Start: e29505
• Publication Date: 2022-06-17
• Subjects: meta-analysis -- superb microvascular imaging -- thyroid nodule; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000029505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Earlier studies have shown that the superb microvascular imaging (SMI) can detect tumor angiogenesis to distinguish thyroid nodules, but there is no systematic review. This meta-analysis aimed to identify the accuracy of ultrasound SMI for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases. A meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 14.0 and Meta-Disc version 1.4 software. We calculated the summary statistics for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR + /LR − ), diagnostic odds ratio, and the synthetic receiver operating characteristic curve. Data will be pooled by either a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model according to the results of heterogeneity identification. Results: 11 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this meta-analysis. The quality assessment of the study of diagnostic accuracy studies scores of all included studies were ≥22. A total of 1003 thyroid malignant nodules and 957 thyroid benign nodules were assessed. The main outcome included: the pooled sensitivity was 0.81 (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.79–0.84), and the pooled specificity was 0.86 (95% CI = 0.84–0.88); the pooled LR + was 5.79 (95% CI = 4.44–7.54), and the pooled negative LR − was 0.23 (95% CI = 0.20–0.26); the pooled diagnostic odds ratio of SMI in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules was 26.84 (95% CI = 19.13–37.60). The area under the synthetic receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.89 (95% CI = 0.86–0.91). We found no evidence for publication bias ( t = 0.72, P = .49). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis indicates that SMI may have high diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Systematic review registration: INPLASY202080084.