Homogeneity Parameter in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Improves the Classification of Abnormal Cervical Lymph Node after Thyroidectomy in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Table 2

Conventional US, CDFI, and CEUS indicators of ACLN (n = 86).

US feature	Benign	CLNM	value
	(n = 32)	(n = 54)
Median size	10 × 5 mm	12 × 6 mm	1.000
Shape			0.171
Round	16 (18.6%)	36 (41.9%)
Oval	16 (18.6%)	18 (20.9%)
Fatty hilum			0.101
Absent	18 (20.9%)	40 (46.5%)
Present	14 (16.3%)	14 (16.3%)
Echogenicity			0.067
Hyper	8 (9.3%)	25 (29.1%)
Hypo	24 (27.9%)	29 (33.7%)
Cystic change or microcalcification			0.004
Present	2 (2.3%)	19 (22.1%)
Absent	30 (34.9%)	35 (40.7%)
Position			0.366
Level II	3 (3.5%)	7 (8.1%)
Level III	8 (9.3%)	11 (12.8%)
Level IV	19 (22.1%)	29 (33.7%)
Level V	1 (1.2%)	0 (0%)
Level VI	1 (1.2%)	7 (8.1%)
CDFI patterns			0.014
Type I	20 (23.3%)	16 (18.6%)
Type II	3 (3.5%)	7 (8.1%)
Type III	3 (3.5%)	4 (4.7%)
Type IV	6 (7.0%)	27 (31.4%)
Intensity at peak time			≤0.001
Hyperenhancement	10 (11.6%)	42 (48.8%)
Hypoenhancement	22 (25.6%)	12 (14.0%)
Entrance mode			0.142
Centripetal	6 (7.0%)	19 (22.1%)
Noncentripetal	26 (30.2%)	35 (40.7%)
Homogeneity			≤0.001
Heterogeneous	4 (4.6%)	44 (51.2%)
Homogeneous	28 (32.6%)	10 (11.6%)