Correlation between ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodules and BRAFV600E mutation

Objective To study the correlation between ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodule and BRAFV600E mutation. Methods A total of 179 patients with 194 suspicious throid nodules were included in this study. They underwent ultrasound, biopsy, pathology and BRAFV600E mutation examination between October 2015 and February 2016 at Chinese PLA General Hospital. The size of nodules were (1.1±0.8) cm. The size, echo, boundary, shape aspect ratio, calcification and capsular invasion of nodules were investigated. The correlation between ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodule and BRAFV600E mutation analyzed by chis-square test and Logistic Regression analysis using statistical data as independent variable, BRAFV600E mutation as dependent variable. Results There were significant different in nodule′s ratio, boundary, capsular invasion characteristic between the BRAFV600E positive group and the BRAFV600E negative group (χ2=11.174, 45.517, 11.046, all P<0.05), and these signs are possibly associated with BRAFV600E mutation by logistic regression model analysis (OR=2.276, 95%CI: 1.117-4.638, P<0.05; OR=8.412, 95%CI: 3.836-18.448, P<0.001; OR=2.582, 95%CI: 1.138-5.860, P<0.05). Conclusions The ratio, boundary, capsular invasion characteristic of thyroid nodules are possibly associated with BRAFV600E mutation. These signs can be used to predict BRAFV600E mutation and facilitate subsequent treatment for such nodules. Key words: Thyroid nodule; Gene mutations; Ultrasonography