Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the ultrasound characteristics of thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC). METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, data from 223 TMC patients (January 2018 - January 2023) were analyzed. Patients were grouped based on their baseline serum TSH and VEGF levels. Thyroid ultrasound images were evaluated for morphological features associated with TSH and VEGF concentrations. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between elevated TSH levels and increased nodule diameter (rho = 0.193, P = 0.004), clearer margins (rho = 0.196, P = 0.003), and microcalcifications (rho = 0.256, P < 0.001). Capsule invasion showed a negative correlation with TSH (rho = -0.180, P = 0.007). Similar associations were observed with higher VEGF levels, which correlated positively with larger nodule size (rho = 0.189, P = 0.005), clearer margins (rho = 0.186, P = 0.005), and microcalcifications (rho = 0.265, P < 0.001), but negatively with capsule invasion (rho = -0.169, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: This study supports the hypothesis that elevated TSH and VEGF levels are associated with characteristic ultrasound features in TMC, which may serve as potential biomarkers for more accurate risk stratification.