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Thyroid Ultrasound Features and Risk of Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Thyroid (New York, N.Y.), 2015-05, Vol.25 (5), p.538-550 [Peer Reviewed Journal]

2015, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. ;Luciana Reck Remonti 2015; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2015 ;ISSN: 1050-7256 ;EISSN: 1557-9077 ;DOI: 10.1089/thy.2014.0353 ;PMID: 25747526

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  • Title:
    Thyroid Ultrasound Features and Risk of Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
  • Author: Remonti, Luciana Reck ; Kramer, Caroline Kaercher ; Leitão, Cristiane Bauermann ; Pinto, Lana Catani F. ; Gross, Jorge Luiz
  • Subjects: Carcinoma - diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Risk ; Thyroid Gland - diagnostic imaging ; Thyroid Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging ; Thyroid Nodule - diagnostic imaging ; Thyroid Radiology and Nuclear Medicine ; Ultrasonography
  • Is Part Of: Thyroid (New York, N.Y.), 2015-05, Vol.25 (5), p.538-550
  • Description: Background: Thyroid nodules are a common finding in the general population, and their detection is increasing with the widespread use of ultrasound (US). Thyroid cancer is found in 5–15% of cases depending on sex, age, and exposure to other risk factors. Some US parameters have been associated with increased risk of malignancy. However, no characteristic seems sufficiently reliable in isolation to diagnose malignancy. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of US features for thyroid malignancy in patients with unselected thyroid nodules and nodules with indeterminate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. Methods: Electronic databases were reviewed for studies published prior to July 2012 that evaluated US features of thyroid nodules and reported postoperative histopathologic diagnosis. A manual search of references of review and key articles, and previous meta-analyses was also performed. A separate meta-analysis was performed including only nodules with indeterminate cytology. Analyzed features were solid structure, hypoechogenicity, irregular margins, absence of halo, microcalcifications, central vascularization, solitary nodule, heterogeneity, taller than wide shape, and absence of elasticity. Results: Fifty-two observational studies (12,786 nodules) were included. Nine studies included nodules with indeterminate cytology as a separate category, comprising 1851 nodules. In unselected nodules, all US features were significantly associated with malignancy with an odds ratio varying from 1.78 to 35.7, and microcalcifications, irregular margins, and a taller than wide shape had high specificities (Sp; 87.8%, 83.1%, 96.6%) and positive likelihood ratios (LHR; 3.26, 2.99, 8.07). Absence of elasticity was the single feature with the best diagnostic performance (sensitivity 87.9%, Sp 86.2%, and positive LHR 6.39). The presence of central vascularization was the most specific US feature in nodules with indeterminate cytology (Sp 96% and positive LHR 2.13). Conclusions: US features in isolation do not provide reliable information to select nodules that should have a FNA performed. A combination of US characteristics with higher likelihood ratios and consequently with higher post-test probabilities of malignancy—microcalcifications, or a taller than wide shape, or irregular margins, or absence of elasticity—will probably identify nodules with an increased risk for malignancy. Further studies are required to standardize elastography techniques and evaluate outcomes, especially in nodules with an indeterminate cytology.
  • Publisher: United States: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
  • Language: English
  • Identifier: ISSN: 1050-7256
    EISSN: 1557-9077
    DOI: 10.1089/thy.2014.0353
    PMID: 25747526
  • Source: MEDLINE
    Alma/SFX Local Collection
    Mary Ann Liebert Online Open Access

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