Diagnostic accuracy of sonography in assessment of thyroid masses in comparison with pathology

Abstract

A thyroid nodule is a solid or cystic lump on the thyroid gland, which involves in the occurrences of various thyroid carcinomas with a notable clinical importance. The present study aimed to observe the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US) in the assessment of thyroid masses compared to pathologic findings. This analytical, epidemiologic study was conducted on 307 patients that were referred to the radiology unit between November 2013 and March 2014 for fine needle aspiration (FNA) of suspected thyroid nodules. There was a significant correlation between echogenicity and pathologic results, which mean more hyper-echogenicity leads to more benign condition (P=0.004). There was no significant correlation between the calcification and the marginal appearance with pathologic results (P=0.270, P=0.860, respectively). There was a significant correlation between the length and width with pathologic results, which mean the shorter length and width lead to a more benign condition (P=0.015, P=0.040, respectively). Besides, there was no significant correlation between vascularity or the age with pathologic results (P=0.450, P=0.930, respectively). This study showed that US could give an incremental value to differentiate benign and malignancy thyroid nodule. Due to the high specificity and predicted values in the detection of benign cases, ultrasound findings can help to favor invasive procedures or follow up of thyroid nodules.