title: Meta-analysis of thyroid imaging reporting and data system in the ultrasonographic diagnosis of 10,437 thyroid nodules.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The meta-analysis was performed to review the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound reporting and data system in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound reporting and data system in 5 databases. Meta-analyses were used in selected studies to obtain pooled sensitivity, specificity, and summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Fixed or random-effects models were performed to analyze our data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve eligible studies were identified, including 10,437 thyroid nodules. A pooled sensitivity of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77-0.81) and a pooled specificity of 0.71 (95% CI = 0.70-0.72) of ultrasound reporting system in differentiated diagnosis of thyroid nodules were shown in meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses showed that the most important factor of heterogeneity in studies was the final diagnostic references (histological and cytological standards or only histological results).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The thyroid imaging reporting and data system has a good sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of patients with thyroid nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ultrasonography, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: The Third Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ultrasonography, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thyroid and Cervical Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: diagnostic accuracy; thyroid nodules; thyroid reporting and data system