title: [An ultrasound score to predict the presence of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Preliminary report].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyroid nodules are common and associated to a low risk of malignancy. Their clinical assessment usually includes a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify ultrasonographic characteristics associated to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and generate a score that predicts the risk of PTC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of all fine needle aspiration biopsies of the thyroid performed in a lapse of two years. Biopsies that were conclusive for PTC were selected and compared with an equal amount of randomly selected biopsies that disclosed a benign diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty two biopsies of a total of 1,498 were conclusive for PTC. Univariate analysis showed associations with PTC for the presence of micro-calcifications (Odds ratio (OR) 49.2: 95% confidence intervals (CI) 18.7-140.9), solid predominance (OR 25.1; 95% CI 6-220), hypoechogenicity (OR 23.5, 95% CI 6.5-122.6), irregular borders (OR 17, 95% CI 7.2-42.9), lymph node involvement (OR 12.3, 95% CI2.7-112), central vascularization (OR 12.2, 95% CI 4.8-33.3), local invasion and hyperechogenicity (OR 0.2; CI 95% CI 0.03-0.6). Multivariate analysis disclosed microcalcifications (OR 28.1; CI 95% 8.9-89), hypoechogenicity (OR 9.4; 95% CI 1.5-59.5) and irregular borders (OR 4.7; CI 95% 1.5-15) as the variables independently associated with the presence of PTC. The prevalence of PTC in the presence of the three variables was 97.6% (Likelihood ratio (LR) 45) and 5.4% in their absence (LR 0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This scale predicts the presence or absence of PTC using simple ultrasound characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baudrand
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arteaga
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campusano
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mosso
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavada
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Javiera
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Antonieta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Solar
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pizarro
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fardella
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002677:Chile; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography