title: Differential profile of ultrasound findings associated with malignancy in mixed and solid thyroid nodules in an elderly female population.
abstract: Objective. Ultrasonographic characteristics are associated with thyroid malignancy. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic value of ultrasound features in the detection of thyroid malignancy in both solid and mixed nodules. Methods. We prospectively studied female patients (≥50 years) referred to ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy. Ultrasound features considered suspicious were hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, irregular margins, high anteroposterior (AP)/axial-ratio, and absent halo. Associations were separately assessed in mixed and solid nodules. Results. In a group of 504 elderly female patients (age = 69 ± 8 years), the frequency of malignant cytology was 6%. Thirty-one percent of nodules were mixed and 60% were solid. The rate of malignant cytology was similar for mixed and solid nodules (7.4 versus 5.8%, P: 0.56). While in mixed nodules none of the ultrasound characteristics were associated with malignant cytology, in solid nodules irregular margins and microcalcifications were significant (all P < 0.05). The combination of irregular margins and/or microcalcifications significantly increased the association with malignant cytology only in solid nodules (OR: 2.76 (95% CI: 1.25-6.10), P: 0.012). Conclusions. Ultrasound features were of poor diagnostic value in mixed nodules, which harbored malignant lesions as often as solid nodules. Our findings challenge the recommended minimal size for ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in mixed nodules.
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: María Inés
authors: MI
authors: Vera
authors: School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, UBA, 954 Junín Street, C1113AAD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Tomás
authors: 0000-0002-2673-3494
authors: T
authors: Meroño
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: María Agustina
authors: MA
authors: Urrutia
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Carina
authors: C
authors: Parisi
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Yanina
authors: Y
authors: Morosan
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Rosmarin
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Schnitman
authors: School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, UBA, 954 Junín Street, C1113AAD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Brites
authors: Department of Cyto-Pathology, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Silvio
authors: S
authors: Grisendi
authors: Department of Cyto-Pathology, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: María Sol
authors: MS
authors: Serrano
authors: Department of Surgery, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Wilfredo
authors: W
authors: Luciani
authors: Department of Surgery, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Leonardo
authors: L
authors: Serrano
authors: Department of Medical Imaging, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Zuk
authors: Department of Medical Imaging, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: De Barrio
authors: Department of Medical Imaging, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Cejas
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: María Cristina
authors: MC
authors: Faingold
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital, 951 La Rioja Street, C1221ACI Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Gabriela
authors: 0000-0001-5531-7652
authors: G
authors: Brenta