Determination of Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Thyroid Nodules for Thyroid Cancer Prediction

Background: In this study, we investigated the diagnostic power of ultrasound in the diagnosis of malignancy in thyroid nodules in Iranian patients. For this purpose, we examined the relationship between ultrasound findings and pathology findings. Methods: The present study is a retrospective study. The patients with a diagnosis of thyroid nodules who underwent ultrasound and FNA, were included in this study. To assess the relationship between the results of FNA and the ultrasound characteristics of nodules, we classified the results of FNA into malignant and benign groups and then compared ultrasound characteristics between the two groups. In cases which the FNA results were indeterminate (AUS/FLUS or FN/SFN), the postoperative pathology result was considered (if thyroid surgery was done and the result was available). Results: In total, 201 nodules were included in this study. The results showed that hypoechogenicity, irregular/ill-defined margin, microcalcification, malignant flow pattern in Doppler sonography and concurrent cervical lymphadenopathy with suspicious features were significantly associated with malignant thyroid nodules. However, other ultrasound findings, such as the size and location of the nodule, presence of a cystic components within the nodule, the presence of a Halo sign, and the presence of a taller-than-wide shape, could not distinguish between benign and malignant nodules. Finally, the results of the present study showed that the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of malignancy in thyroid nodules is high. Conclusion: This study suggests that the use of ultrasound can be very effective in diagnosing malignancy in thyroid nodules.