Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: A thyroid ultrasound scan is recommended in the assessment of any suspected thyroid nodule. The ultrasound characteristics of nodules have been shown to be useful in assessing their malignant potential. The aim of this study is to determine diagnostic validity of thyroid ultrasound in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodule.

Material and Methods: It was cross-sectional study, conducted at XXXX Hospital from August 2011 to July 2012. All patients of either gender with thyroid nodules referred for ultrasound thyroid and FNAC were included. Patients with known thyroid malignancy, pure cystic lesion, indeterminate, non-diagnostic, suspicious finding in cytology without subsequent surgery were excluded. Ultrasonography was performed by radiologists with Toshiba US machines. The ultrasound parameters were assessed and compared with FNAC results in all nodules. Diagnostic validity of each ultrasound feature was calculated. Study was approved from Ethical Review Committee of Hospital.

Results: Total 101 patients were included in the study on this basis of availability of ultrasound images, pathology report and after exclusion. Mean age of patients was 43±13 years (range 15–73 years) and n=81 (80%) were females. Among 101, n=96 benign and n=5 nodules were malignant on histocytopathology. The sensitivity and specificity of each ultrasound feature in predicting malignancy were microcalcification, 80 and 68%; hypoechogenicity, 80 and 52%; ill-defined lobulated margin, 40 and 96%; solid, 80 and 40%; taller than wider, 50 and 63% respectively. Each US feature have negative predictive value ranges from 95 to 98%.

Conclusion: Identification of microcalcification, hypoechogenicity and solid with ill-defined margins thyroid nodules on ultrasound is helpful in diagnosing thyroid malignancy and warrants urgent diagnostic biopsy.