Acoustic radiation force imaging of the thyroid—generation of reference values by Virtual Touch Imaging and Quantification

Abstract Objectives To investigate potential subject-related confounding factors for thyroid acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography. Methods and materials A total of 194 subjects participated in the study. Results The standard values in the right lobe were 2.52±0.35m/s (ventral half) and 2.43±0.40m/s (dorsal half). In the left lobe, velocities of 2.56±0.37m/s (ventral) and 2.48±0.42m/s (dorsal) were noted. A clear difference was observed between measurement values in the ventral and dorsal half ( P Conclusions ARFI–Virtual Touch Imaging and Quantification appears to be a suitable and relatively robust method for examining the thyroid gland.