Shear wave elastography: a new ultrasound imaging mode for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Context: Elastography uses ultrasound (US) to assess elasticity. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a new technique that estimates tissue stiffness in real time and is quantitative and user independent.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of SWE in predicting malignancy and to compare SWE with US.