The sonographic features of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in postoperative patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were similar to those in preoperative patients.
PurposeThis study aimed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) features for distinguishing follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) from follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC).MethodsFrom January 2013 to July 2016, 46 follicular neoplasms in 45 patients who underwent preoperative thyroid ultrasonography (US) and thyroid surgery were included. The US features of each thyroid nodule were retrospectively evaluated by a single radiologist using a picture archiving and communication system. The diagnostic indices of K-TIRADS for follicular neoplasms were calculated according to whether K-TIRADS category 4 lesions were excluded or classified as benign or malignant.ResultsOf the 46 follicular neoplasms (mean size, 3.1±1.6 cm), 37 were FTAs (mean size, 3.1±1.7 cm) and nine were FTCs (mean size, 3.0±1.5 cm). A statistically significant difference was found between FTAs and FTCs regarding the margin (P=0.035), while no significant differences were observed in the composition, echogenicity, shape, orientation, calcification, or vascularity of the lesions (P<0.05). The FTAs belonged to K-TIRADS categories 3 (n=22) and 4 (n=15), while the FTCs belonged to K-TIRADS categories 3 (n=4), 4 (n=4), and 5 (n=1). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of K-TIRADS categories between FTAs and FTCs (P=0.184).ConclusionK-TIRADS features were not helpful for distinguishing FTA from FTC, although follicular neoplasms showed a high prevalence of K-TIRADS categories 3 and 4.
This study aimed to assess and compare the sample adequacy, patient pain ratings, and complications associated with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules between two radiologists with different levels of experience. From March 2012 to May 2012, two radiologists performed ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration to diagnose thyroid nodules in consecutive patients using the same techniques. 157 patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 75 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration by an experienced radiologist and group 2 consisted of 82 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration by a less experienced radiologist. The sample adequacy, pain-scale ratings, and complications related to ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration were compared between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in sex, age, nodule size, or location between the two groups. There was no statistical difference (p = 0.710) in the prevalence of adequate cytology between group 1 (94.7 % [71/75]) and group 2 (96.3 % [79/82]). The mean ± standard deviation of pain-scale ratings was 1.99 ± 1.68 in group 1 and 2.30 ± 1.83 in group 2, but there was no statistical difference (p = 0.326). There were no significant complications related to the procedure and no sonographic changes on follow-up ultrasound for either group. The study results demonstrated good outcomes for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules and no statistically significant differences in sample adequacy, pain-scale ratings, or complication rates between two radiologists with different levels of experience.
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