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Busby O, McArthur C, Wright S, Hilmi O. Can we better advise our patients with nodular thyroid disease? J Laryngol Otol 2024; 138:75-82. [PMID: 37185056 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215123000701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2014 British Thyroid Association guidelines acknowledged the value of risk-stratifying thyroid nodules by utilising an ultrasound reporting system ('U' classification). This study assessed whether using pre-existing parameters in combination can better stratify patients' malignancy and completion thyroidectomy risks. METHOD A multicentre, retrospective, observational review identified 936 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde patients from pathology records who underwent hemithyroidectomy between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019. RESULTS A total of 308 patients had thyroid malignancy, 180 (58.4 per cent) progressed to completion thyroidectomy. A nodule classified as 'U3' (indeterminate) was associated with a 35.4 per cent chance of malignancy and a 21.6 per cent risk of requiring completion surgery. Amalgamation of 'U' score with Thy score enhanced risk prediction. The malignancy rate in U3, Thy-3f nodules was 38 per cent, and 21 per cent required completion surgery. The malignancy and completion thyroidectomy rates were comparatively lower for U3, Thy-3a nodules (22 per cent and 14.3 per cent, respectively). CONCLUSION Combining ultrasound 'U' score and Thy score improves pre-operative thyroid nodule risk stratification, leading to better informed patients regarding the risks of malignancy and completion surgery. A move towards an integrated assessment approach should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla Busby
- School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Claire McArthur
- Department of Radiology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Sylvia Wright
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Omar Hilmi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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Gaunt A, Moore AR, Huvenne C, Dhami A, Eades M, Balasubramanian SP. Is conservative management of the indeterminate thyroid nodule [Thy3f or Bethesda category IV] safe? Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 279:5905-5911. [PMID: 35881191 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The histological diagnosis after diagnostic thyroidectomy for indeterminate thyroid nodules is often non-malignant and some cancers detected are considered 'indolent'. The safety and effectiveness of conservative management in these patients are unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the safety of conservative management of indeterminate thyroid nodules and to explore association between clinical features and pathology in patients undergoing surgery. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of patients presenting to a single centre over a 4-year period (2013-2016) with thyroid nodules that were considered indeterminate (thy3f in the UK RCPath classification) on cytology. Demographic data, ultrasound features, follow-up details (in those undergoing conservative management) and histology details (in those undergoing surgery) were collected. RESULTS Of 164 patients that had Thy3f cytology, 34 were initially managed conservatively; however, 4 of these eventually had surgery (due to patient preference). No patient on conservative management had significant disease progression on ultrasound at a median (interquartile range) of 27 (16-40) months. Of the 134 patients that underwent surgery, 26 had thyroid malignancy. The BTA 'U' classification, gender and age (> 55) were not associated with malignancy in these nodules, but larger nodules (> 40 mm) were more likely to be malignant (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS Conservative management of indeterminate (Thy3f or Bethesda stage IV) thyroid nodules is safe in the short term and may be indicated in selected cases after appropriate discussion of risks and benefits of surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gaunt
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
| | - A R Moore
- Sheffield Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - C Huvenne
- Sheffield Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - A Dhami
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - M Eades
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - S P Balasubramanian
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Borysewicz-Sańczyk H, Sawicka B, Karny A, Bossowski F, Marcinkiewicz K, Rusak A, Dzięcioł J, Bossowski A. Suspected Malignant Thyroid Nodules in Children and Adolescents According to Ultrasound Elastography and Ultrasound-Based Risk Stratification Systems-Experience from One Center. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11071768. [PMID: 35407376 PMCID: PMC8999896 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11071768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules correlates with the presence of ultrasonographic features. In adults, ultrasound risk-classification systems have been proposed to indicate the need for further invasive diagnosis. Furthermore, elastography has been shown to support differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. The purpose of our study was to assess the application of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), British Thyroid Association (BTA) ultrasound risk-classification systems and strain elastography in the management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents from one center. Seventeen nodules with Bethesda III, IV, V and VI were selected from 165 focal lesions in children. All patients underwent ultrasonography and elastography followed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. Ultrasonographic features according to the ATA and BTA stratification systems were assessed retrospectively. The strain ratio in the group of thyroid nodules diagnosed as malignant was significantly higher than in benign nodules (6.07 vs. 3.09, p = 0.036). According to the ATA guidelines, 100% of malignant nodules were classified as high suspicion and 73% of benign nodules were assessed as low suspicion. Using the BTA U-score classification, 80% of malignant nodules were classified as cancerous (U5) and 20% as suspicious for malignancy (U4). Among benign nodules, 82% were classified as indeterminate or equivocal (U3) and 9% as benign (U2). Our results suggest that application of the ATA or BTA stratification system and elastography may be a suitable method for assessing the level of suspected malignancy in thyroid nodules in children and help make a clinical decision about the need for further invasive diagnosis of thyroid nodules in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Borysewicz-Sańczyk
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology with Cardiology Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (B.S.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-85-7450724
| | - Beata Sawicka
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology with Cardiology Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (B.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Agata Karny
- Student Research Group by the Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology with Cardiology Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (A.K.); (F.B.); (K.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Filip Bossowski
- Student Research Group by the Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology with Cardiology Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (A.K.); (F.B.); (K.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Katarzyna Marcinkiewicz
- Student Research Group by the Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology with Cardiology Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (A.K.); (F.B.); (K.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Aleksandra Rusak
- Student Research Group by the Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology with Cardiology Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (A.K.); (F.B.); (K.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Janusz Dzięcioł
- Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Artur Bossowski
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology with Cardiology Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (B.S.); (A.B.)
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Russ G, Trimboli P, Buffet C. The New Era of TIRADSs to Stratify the Risk of Malignancy of Thyroid Nodules: Strengths, Weaknesses and Pitfalls. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174316. [PMID: 34503125 PMCID: PMC8430750 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The aim of this review is to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of thyroid imaging and reporting data systems used for thyroid nodules, so as to understand how nodules are scored with all existing systems. Both ultrasound based risk stratification systems and indications for fine-needle aspirations are described. Systems are compared by analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. Studies show satisfactory sensitivities and specificities for the diagnosis of malignancy for all systems, and none of them have shown a real significant advantage over the others in terms of raw diagnostic value. Interobserver agreement is also very similar for all systems, fairly adequate to robust. Dimensional cut-offs for fine-needle aspiration are quite similar and all RSSs seem to reduce effectively the number of unnecessary FNAs. Merging all existing systems in a common international one is desirable. Abstract Since 2009, thyroid imaging reporting and data systems (TI-RADS) have been playing an increasing role in the field of thyroid nodules (TN) imaging. Their common aims are to provide sonologists of varied medical specialties and clinicians with an ultrasound (US) based malignancy risk stratification score and to guide decision making of fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Schematically, all TI-RADSs scores can be classified as either pattern-based or point-based approaches. The main strengths of these systems are their ability (i) to homogenize US TN descriptions among operators, (ii) to facilitate and shorten communication on the malignancy risk of TN between sonologists and clinicians, (iii) to provide quantitative ranges of malignancy risk assessment with high sensitivity and negative predictive values, and (iv) to reduce the number of unnecessary FNAs. Their weaknesses are (i) the remaining inter-observer discrepancies and (ii) their insufficient sensitivity for the diagnosis of follicular cancers and follicular variant of papillary cancers. Most common pitfalls are degenerating shrinking nodules and confusion between individual and coalescent nodules. The benefits of all TI-RADSs far outweigh their shortcomings, explaining their rising use, but the necessity to improve and merge the different existing systems remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Russ
- Groupe de Recherche Clinique n°16 Tumeurs Thyroïdiennes, Thyroid and Endocrine Tumors Unit, Institute of Endocrinology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, F-75013 Paris, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Clinic for Endocrinology and Diabetology, Lugano Regional Hospital, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Camille Buffet
- Groupe de Recherche Clinique n°16 Tumeurs Thyroïdiennes, Thyroid and Endocrine Tumors Unit, Institute of Endocrinology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, F-75013 Paris, France;
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Watkins L, O'Neill G, Young D, McArthur C. Comparison of British Thyroid Association, American College of Radiology TIRADS and Artificial Intelligence TIRADS with histological correlation: diagnostic performance for predicting thyroid malignancy and unnecessary fine needle aspiration rate. Br J Radiol 2021; 94:20201444. [PMID: 33989038 PMCID: PMC8248201 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20201444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To compare diagnostic performance of British Thyroid Association (BTA), American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR-TIRADS) and Artificial Intelligence TIRADS (AI-TIRADS) for thyroid nodule malignancy. To determine comparative unnecessary fine needle aspiration (FNA) rates. Methods: 218 thyroid nodules with definitive histology obtained during 2017 were included. Ultrasound images were reviewed retrospectively in consensus by two subspecialist radiologists, blinded to histopathology, and nodules assigned a BTA, ACR-TIRADS and AI-TIRADS grade. Nodule laterality and size were recorded to allow accurate histopathological correlation and determine which nodules met criteria for FNA. Results: 77 (35.3%) nodules were malignant. Deeming ultrasound Grade 4–5 as test-positive and 1–2 as test-negative, sensitivity and specificity for BTA was 98.28 and 42.55%, for ACR-TIRADS: 95.24 and 40.57% and for AI-TIRADS: 93.44 and 45.71%. FNA was indicated in 101 (71.6%), 67 (47.5%) and 65 (46.1%) benign nodules utilising BTA, ACR-TIRADS and AI-TIRADS respectively. The unnecessary FNA rate was significantly higher with BTA (46.3%) compared to ACR-TIRADS (30.7%) and AI-TIRADS (29.8%) p < 0.001. Conclusion: BTA, ACR-TIRADS and AI-TIRADS had similar diagnostic performance for predicting thyroid nodule malignancy with sensitivity >93% for all systems when considering ultrasound Grade 4–5 as malignant and Grade 1–2 as benign. ACR-TIRADS and AI-TIRADS both had a significantly lower rate of recommended FNA in benign nodules compared to BTA. Advances in knowledge: BTA, ACR-TIRADS and AI-TIRADS have comparable diagnostic performance with high sensitivity but relatively low specificity for predicting thyroid nodule malignancy in this cohort using histology as gold-standard. Using Grade 1–2 as benign and 4–5 as malignant there were more false negatives with TIRADS but this improved when taking other features into account while BTA had a significantly higher rate of unnecessary FNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Watkins
- Department of Radiology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS GG&C, Glasgow, UK
| | - Greg O'Neill
- Department of Radiology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS GG&C, Glasgow, UK
| | - David Young
- Departmentof Mathematics and Statistics, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Claire McArthur
- Department of Radiology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS GG&C, Glasgow, UK.,University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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