Work

Thyroid Volume Measurement With AI ‐Assisted Freehand 3D Ultrasound Compared to 2D Ultrasound—A Clinical Trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Accurate thyroid volume assessment is critical in thyroid disease diagnostics, yet conventional high-resolution 2D ultrasound has limitations. Freehand 3D ultrasound with AI-assisted segmentation presents a potential advancement, but its clinical accuracy requires validation. METHOD: This prospective clinical trial included 14 patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy. Preoperative thyroid volume was measured using both 2D ultrasound (ellipsoid method) and freehand 3D ultrasound with AI segmentation. Postoperative thyroid volume, determined via the water displacement method, served as the reference standard. RESULTS: The median postoperative thyroid volume was 14.8 mL (IQR 8.8-20.2). The median volume difference was 1.7 mL (IQR 1.2-3.3) for 3D ultrasound and 3.6 mL (IQR 2.3-6.6) for 2D ultrasound (p = 0.02). The inter-operator reliability coefficient for 3D ultrasound was 0.986 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that freehand 3D ultrasound with AI-assisted segmentation provides superior accuracy and reproducibility compared to 2D ultrasound and may enhance clinical thyroid volume assessment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05510609.

Source: Head & Neck

DOI: 10.1002/hed.28267

Authors: Klara Bay Rask, Fatemeh Makouei, Marcus Hans Jakowlew Wessman, Tina Toft Kristensen, Tobias Todsen

Institutions: University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation

Language: English

Topic: Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,760