Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of radionuclide imaging for thyroid nodules

Ultrasonography (US) is one of the most important methods for the management of thyroid nodules, which can be classified as solid, partially cystic, or cystic by composition. The various Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System classifications pay more attention to solid nodules and have reported pertinent US features associated with malignancy. However, the likelihood of malignancy of partially cystic thyroid nodules (PCTNs) is 3.3–17.6%, and few studies have systematically discussed the value of US in differentiating such entities. Therefore, we deemed it necessary to perform a systematic evaluation of US features in recognizing malignant PCTNs. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the value of US features in predicting malignant PCTNs. We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to find studies that researched US features of PCTNs and that were published before June 2020. Review Manager 5.3 was used to summarize suspicious US features and calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios. MetaDiSc 1.4 was used to estimate receiver operating characteristic curves and calculate areas under the curves (AUCs). Our review included eight studies with a total of 2,004 PCTNs. Seven features were considered to be associated with malignancy. High specificity (>0.9) was found in nodules with a taller-than-wide shape, those that were spiculated/microlobulated or with an ill-defined margin, those with microcalcification, and a non-smooth rim. Among US features, eccentric configuration, microcalcification, and marked or mild hypoechogenicity were more reliable in predicting malignancy (AUC: 0.9592, 0.8504, and 0.8092, respectively). After meta-analysis, we recommend combining PCTN US features including an eccentric internal solid portion, marked or mild hypoechogenicity, and presence of microcalcification to better identify malignant nodules. More studies are needed to explore and improve the diagnostic value of US in PCTNs.

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Diagnostic Value of Fluorescence Methods, Visual Inspection and Photographic Visual Examination in Initial Caries Lesion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Dentistry Journal ◽

10.3390/dj9030030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 30

Author(s):

Mai Thi Giang Thanh ◽

Ngo Van Toan ◽

Do Thi Thanh Toan ◽

Nguyen Phu Thang ◽

Ngoc Quang Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Quality Assessment ◽

Visual Inspection ◽

Early Stage ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Caries Detection ◽

Permanent Teeth ◽

Visual Examination ◽

Initial Caries

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy of fluorescence-based methods, visual inspections, and photographic visual examinations in initial caries detection. A literature search was undertaken in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and eligible articles published from 1 January 2009 to 30 October 2019 were included if they met the following criteria: they (1) assessed the accuracy of methods of detecting initial tooth caries lesions on occlusal, proximal, or smooth surfaces in both primary and permanent teeth (in clinical); (2) used a reference standard; (3) reported data regarding the sample size, prevalence of initial tooth caries, and accuracy of the methods. Data collection and extraction, quality assessment, and data analysis were conducted according to Cochrane standards Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3 and STATA 14.0. A total of 12 eligible articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of fluorescence-based methods were 80% and 80%, respectively; visual inspection was measured at 80% and 75%, respectively; photographic visual examination was measured at 67% and 79%, respectively. We found that the visual method and the fluorescence method were reliable for laboratory use to detect early-stage caries with equivalent accuracy.

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Diagnostic value of optical coherence tomography angiography for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ophthalmic Research ◽

10.1159/000511265 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chang-Xi Chen ◽

Mei-Ling Liu ◽

Kai Cao ◽

Mayinuer Yusufu ◽

Jin-Da Wang

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Choroidal Neovascularization ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Classification Rate

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in detecting the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in agerelated macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching Pubmed, Science Direct, Embase and Web of Science. The pooled sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), area under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve (sROC), and the total accurate classification rate were used to evaluate OCTA’ diagnostic value of CNV in AMD patients. Results: Seven studies involving 517 eyes were included in the analysis. The mean age of subjects in each study ranged from 58.5 years to 81.7 years. Fluorescein angiography was applied as the gold standard in five studies. There were 350 eyes diagnosed with CNV, OCTA detected 301 eyes correctly, while among the 167 eyes without CNV, OCTA identified 150 correctly. The total accurate classification rate was 87.23%. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was 0.5, indicating that there was no significant threshold effect in the current study (S=8, p=0.103). The pooled sensitivity and pooled specificity were 0.89 (95%CI: 0.82,0.94) and 0.96 (95%CI: 0.85,1.00) respectively. The area under sROC was up to 0.911. Conclusion: The specificity of OCTA for the detection of CNV in AMD patients is extremely high, however, the sensitivity still needs to be improved. In general, the metaanalysis revealed that OCTA had a high diagnostic value for the detection of CNV in AMD patients.

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Role of Metformin in the Treatment of Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Thyroid ◽

10.1089/thy.2017.0707 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 359-367 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Xiaowei He ◽

Dan Wu ◽

Cuining Hu ◽

Ting Xu ◽

Yuanxin Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Insulin Resistance ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Meta Analysis

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Diagnostic value of autofluorescence laryngoscope in early laryngeal carcinoma and precancerous lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy ◽

10.1016/j.pdpdt.2021.102460 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102460

Author(s):

Meng-Wei Ge ◽

Hai-Tao Ni ◽

Jie-Wei Huang ◽

Zhan-Hong Fan ◽

Wang-Qin Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Laryngeal Carcinoma ◽

Precancerous Lesions ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Value

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Diagnostic value of symptoms of oesophagogastric cancers in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp15x686941 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 65 (639) ◽

pp. e677-e691 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Margaret P Astin ◽

Tanimola Martins ◽

Nicky Welton ◽

Richard D Neal ◽

Peter W Rose ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Primary Care ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Value

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The diagnostic value of non-contrast magnetic resonance coronary angiography in the assessment of coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Heliyon ◽

10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06386 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. e06386

Author(s):

Aryan Zahergivar ◽

Madison Kocher ◽

Jeffrey Waltz ◽

Ismail Kabakus ◽

Jordan Chamberlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Coronary Angiography ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Magnetic Resonance Coronary Angiography ◽

Contrast Magnetic Resonance ◽

Artery Disease

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Comparison of conventional, doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of ovarian masses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052830 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e052830

Author(s):

Lizhang Xun ◽

Lamei Zhai ◽

Hui Xu

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Doppler Us ◽

Contrast Enhanced ◽

Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography ◽

Sensitivity Specificity ◽

Ovarian Masses

ObjectivesTo assess the value of conventional, Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) (conventional ultrasonography (US), Doppler US and CEUS) for diagnosing ovarian cancer.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were conducted for studies published until October 2021.Eligibility criteriaStudies assessed the diagnostic value of conventional US, Doppler US or CEUS for detecting ovarian cancer, with no restrictions placed on published language and status.Data extraction and synthesisThe study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent authors. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR and NLR), diagnostic OR (DOR) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were pooled using the bivariate generalised linear mixed model and random effects model.ResultsThe meta-analysis included 72 studies and involved 9296 women who presented with ovarian masses. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR and AUC for conventional US were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87 to 0.94) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.91), 6.87 (95% CI: 4.98 to 9.49) and 0.10 (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.15), 57.52 (95% CI: 36.64 to 90.28) and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93 to 0.97), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR and AUC for Doppler US were 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91 to 0.95) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.80 to 0.89), 6.10 (95% CI: 4.59 to 8.11) and 0.08 (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.11), 61.76 (95% CI: 39.99 to 95.37) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94 to 0.97), respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR and AUC for CEUS were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.99) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.85 to 0.95), 11.47 (95% CI: 6.52 to 20.17) and 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.09), 152.11 (95% CI: 77.77 to 297.51) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97 to 0.99), respectively. Moreover, the AUC values for conventional US (p=0.002) and Doppler US (p=0.005) were inferior to those of CEUS.ConclusionsConventional US, Doppler US and CEUS have a relatively high differential diagnostic value for differentiating between benign and malignant ovarian masses. The diagnostic performance of CEUS was superior to that of conventional US and Doppler US.

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