Ultrasound findings in thyroid nodules: A radio–cytopathologic correlation

Abstract

Introduction:Ultrasound (USG) can be a good screening tool to identify high-risk nodule requiring fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The study aimed to assess the association of USG characteristic of thyroid nodule with malignancy.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed from August 2011 to July 2012 at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Patients referred for USG of the neck with thyroid nodule more than 10 mm were offered FNAC and included in the study after taking informed consent. USG characteristics were compared with histopathologic diagnosis of benign or malignant nodule.Results:USG characteristics significantly (P < 0.05) associated with malignancy were as follows: size of thyroid nodule more than 30 mm, ill-defined margin, solid echotexture, hypoechoic lesion, microcalcification, and any form of increased vascularity. High sensitivity was seen in microcalcification, hypoechoic echogenicity, and ill-defined margin and high specificity was seen in ill-defined margin and solid echotexture. Relatively high sensitivity and specificity was found in ill-defined margin.Conclusions:Texture, size, margin, echogenicity, and vascularity are important factors for discriminating benign from malignant nodule. Hypoechogenicity, vascularity of any type, ill-defined margin, and microcalcification were independent predictors of malignancy. None of the characteristics were sensitive and specific to be used independently as screening tool to identify high risk of malignancy.

The diagnostic value of ultrasonography in detection of different types of thyroid nodules

“…Due to the expanding use of ultrasonography and other imaging modalities, the incidence of thyroid nodule was increased up to 67%. Most of thyroid lumps are benign; malignancy is quite low (3-7%) [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Although the thyroid cancer incidence has increased about 2.4-fold over the last three decades by applying the US as a preliminary assessment tool of thyroid gland lesions, this malignancy rate may be not actually estimated because there is an overlap between the gold standard investigation in the diagnosis of primary thyroid malignancy [8,[20][21][22][23][24].…”

Can sonographic features of microcalcification predict thyroid nodule malignancy? a prospective observational study

“…In other words, it seems that simultaneous presence of coarse calcification will probably decrease the diagnostic value of microcalcification for predicting malignancy. According to the literature, the association of malignancy with coarse calcification has remained debatable, especially in nodules lacking other malignant features [12,13]. Our finding is notable in terms of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS).…”

Gender and Age Distribution of Thyroid Nodules using Imaging Diagnostic and Management Modalities in Albania; Our data

“…10,11,12 Regardless of the benefits of US use in thyroid nodules evaluation, the existing literature has shown none of the single US findings have been able to differentiate benign from malignant lesions; however, suspicious findings can help differentiate nodules that are definitely benign and suspicious nodules that may require FNAC. 13 Many findings such as hypoechogenicity, solid echotexture, internal vascularity, microcalcifications, ill-defined margins have shown correlation with malignant nodules. 14 In the present study, hypoechogenicity, solid lesions, and internal increased vascularity were also explored and were shown to be associated with malignancy, which is well correlated with most studies done previously.…”