AI-Assisted Ultrasound for the Early Diagnosis of Antibody-Negative Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Shengsheng Yao,1,* Bo Zhang,2,* Xiang Fei,3 Mingming Xiao,4 Li Lu,5 Daming Liu,6 Siyuan Zhang,7 Jianchun Cui3 1China Medical University - Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110015, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Science and Education, The 10th Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Beitun General Hospital, Beitun City, Xinjiang Province, 831300, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, People’s Hospital of China Medical University (Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital), Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110015, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Pathology, People’s Hospital of China Medical University (Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital), Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110015, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Endocrinology, People’s Hospital of China Medical University (Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital), Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110015, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Ultrasound, People’s Hospital of China Medical University (Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital), Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110015, People’s Republic of China; 7Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The 10th Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Beitun General Hospital, Beitun City, Xinjiang Province, 831300, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jianchun Cui, Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, People’s Hospital of China Medical University (Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital), No. 33 of Wenyi Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110015, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 24 24016014, Fax +86 24 24016014, Email cjc7162003@aliyun.comAbstract: The prevalence of antibody-negative chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (SN-CAT) is increasing. The early diagnosis of SN-CAT can effectively prevent its further development. Thyroid ultrasound can diagnose autoimmune thyroiditis and predict hypothyroidism. Primary hypothyroidism with a hypoechoic pattern suggested by thyroid ultrasound and negative thyroid serum antibodies is the main basis for the diagnosis of SN-CAT. However, for early SN-CAT, only hypoechoic thyroid changes and serological antibodies are currently available. This study explored how to achieve an accurate and early diagnosis of SN-CAT and prevent the development of SN-CAT combined with hypothyroidism. The diagnosis of a hypoechoic thyroid by artificial intelligence is expected to be a breakthrough in the accurate diagnosis of SN-CAT.Keywords: antibody negative, autoimmune thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, hypoechoic thyroid, artificial intelligence, Hashimoto’s disease