The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the effect of transverse and longitudinal sections on the measurement of thyroid nodule stiffness by shear wave elastography. The main questions it aims to answer are: (i) to compare the diagnostic efficacy of different section orientations of shear wave elastography for the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules; (ii) to analyze the correlation between the two orientations of transverse and longitudinal sections of shear wave elastography; and (iii) to compare the reliability and consistency of the two orientations of transverse and longitudinal sections of shear wave elastography for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Participants will undergo routine ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland and shear wave elastography, and the measured modulus of elasticity of the nodules in both transverse and longitudinal sections will be recorded.

Inclusion Criteria:

All patients underwent preoperative shear-wave elastography ultrasonography; thyroid nodules ranged from 3 to 20 mm in size; all nodules underwent puncture biopsy or surgery to obtain pathologic results.

Exclusion Criteria:

Unavailability of pathology results for various reasons; poor quality of ultrasound images; missing data.

Patients with thyroid nodules attending the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University were selected.

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