Diagnostic performance of quantitative and qualitative elastography for the differentiation of benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the diagnostic performance of quantitative and qualitative elastography for the differentiation of benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound elastography in patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. METHODS: We will search PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Chinese biomedical databases from their inceptions to the May 30, 2021, without language restrictions. Two authors will independently carry out searching literature records, scanning titles and abstracts, full texts, collecting data, and assessing risk of bias. Review Manager 5.2 and Stata14.0 software will be used for data analysis. RESULTS: This systematic review will determine the accuracy of shear wave elastography and strain elastography in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: Its findings will provide helpful evidence for the accuracy of shear wave elastography and strain elastography in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: INPLASY202150109.