Enhanced Pediatric Thyroid Ultrasound Image Segmentation Using DC-Contrast U-Net

Abstract The examination methods for the thyroid include laboratory tests and imaging studies. Although laboratory and imaging examinations are relatively straightforward, their effectiveness in detecting early clinical symptoms of the thyroid may be limited, especially in children due to the shorter growth time of the pediatric thyroid. Therefore, this constitutes a crucial foundational work. However, accurately determining the position and size of the thyroid in children is a challenging task. Accuracy depends on the experience of the ultrasound operator in current clinical practice, leading to subjective results. Even among experts, there is significant variation in thyroid identification. In addition, the effective use of ultrasound machines also relies on the experience of the ultrasound operator in current clinical practice.