title: Ultrasonographic features associated with malignancy in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology usually are treated with surgery, but most are benign. Neck ultrasonography has varied results in predicting malignancy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the predictive value of ultrasonography and the frequency of malignancy in patients who had indeterminate thyroid nodules.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 78 patients who had thyroid nodules that were diagnosed on cytology (fine needle aspiration) as a follicular lesion (atypia of undetermined significant) or follicular neoplasm. Ultrasonography was available in 69 patients (88%).
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic fine needle aspiration (cytology), ultrasonography, and surgical pathology of thyroid nodules.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fine needle aspiration was indeterminate in all patients, with follicular lesions in 60 patients (77%) and follicular neoplasm in 18 patients (23%). Ultrasonography showed micro calcification in 6 patients (9%), irregular border in 15 patients (22%), size ≥ 3 cm in 31 patients (45%), and hypoechogenicity in 43 patients (62%). Surgical pathology showed that the nodules were benign in 50 patients (64%) and malignant in 28 patients (36%). Malignancy was significantly associated with male sex (relative risk, 2.3), solid nodule structure (relative risk, 2.6), and irregular border (relative risk, 3.6). Compared with other ultrasonographic characteristics, irregular borders had the highest specificity (93%), positive predictive value (80%), and accuracy (78%) for malignancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of malignancy is high in indeterminate thyroid nodules. Based on the limited accuracy or predictive value of ultrasonographic risk factors, surgery is the treatment of choice for indeterminate thyroid nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Thyroid Nuclear Oncology Clinic, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, P.O. Box 80215, 21589 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: nbatawil@kau.edu.sa.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Batawil
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Thyroid Nuclear Oncology Clinic, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, P.O. Box 80215, 21589 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alkordy
mesh_terms: D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018249:Adenoma, Oxyphilic; D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Carcinoma; Cytology; Fine needle aspiration; Imaging