The value of TI-RADS combined with superb micro-vascular imagine in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules:a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the value of thyroid imaging report and data system (TI-RADS) combined with superb micro-vascular imagine technique(SMI) in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and CBM databases from inception through January 1st, 2015 without language restrictions. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 14.0 and Meta-Disc version 1.4 softwares. We calculated the summary statistics for sensitivity(Sen), specificity(Spe), and receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve. Six studies that met all inclusion criteria were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 408 thyroid malignant nodules and 496 thyroid benign nodules were assessed. All thyroid nodules were histologically confirmed after SMI. The pooled Sen and Spe of TI-RADS were 0.80(95%CI=0.71-0.87) and 0.82(95%CI=0.75-0.87); The pooled Sen and Spe of TI-RADS combined with SMI were 0.88 (95%CI=0.80-0.91) and 0.89 (95%CI=0.85-0.92). The areas under the SROC curve of TI-RADS and TI-RADS combined with SMI were 0.8874(SE=0.0165) and 0.9415(SE=0.0102), between which there was significant difference(Z=2.789; SE=0.0194; p =0.0053). Our meta-analysis indicates that TI-RADS combined with SMI may have high diagnostic accuracy, and is more effective than single TI-RADS in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules.