Technical Report: A Cost-Effective, Easily Available Tofu Model for Training Residents in Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Thyroid Nodule Targeting Punctures

OBJECTIVE: To establish a cost-effective and easily available phantom for training residents in ultrasound-guided fine needle thyroid nodule targeting punctures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tofu, drinking straws filled with coupling gel, a urine tube, and 21-gauge needles were used to generate a phantom thyroid with nodules for training. Twelve radiology residents were involved in the study. The puncture success rates were recorded and compared before and after phantom training using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: On ultrasonography, tofu mimicked the texture of the thyroid. Drinking straws filled with coupling gel mimicked vessels. The urine tube filled with air mimicked the trachea, and 21-gauge needles mimicked small nodules in the transverse section. The entire phantom was similar to the structure of the thyroid and surrounding tissues. The puncture success rates of radiology residents were significantly increased from 34.4 ± 14.2% to 66.7 ± 19.5% after training (p = 0.003). The phantom was constructed in approximately 10 minutes and materials cost less than CNY 10 (approximately $ 1.5) at a local store. CONCLUSION: The tofu model was cost-effective, easily attainable, and effective for training residents in ultrasound-guided fine needle thyroid nodule targeting punctures in vitro.