Relationship Of Shear Wave Elastography Findings With Pathology In Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas Model

We explored the relationship between shear wave elastography (SWE) findings and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) pathology. BCPAP cells were subcutaneously injected into the thighs of nude mice. The resulting lesions were divided into two groups according to tumor size: diameter 5-10 mm, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) group; diameter 11-15 mm, PTC group. All tumors were examined using SWE. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel density (MVD) were assessed immunohistochemically. The elastic values (Emean and Emax) on SWE were significantly higher in the PTC group (26.695 +/- 5.986 and 41.338 +/- 9.643 kPa, respectively) than those in the PTMC group (16.842 +/- 5.317 and 23.989 +/- 6.315 kPa, respectively; P < 0.05). The PDGF expression and MVD were significantly higher in PTCs than those in PTMCs (P < 0.05). The elastic values were positively correlated with PDGF and MVD (P < 0.05). Maximum tumor diameter was positively correlated with elastic parameters, PDGF, and MVD (P < 0.05). We concluded that tumor stiffness was correlated with PDGF and MVD in PTCs and PDGF might play an important role in PTC development.