Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in Identifying Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

PurposeAs a main method to detect thyroid nodules, ultrasonography seems to have a rather low accuracy in differentiating benign and malignant ones. The present study aims to explore the diagnostic value of thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) in identifying benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Materials and Methods A total of 168 patients with thyroid nodules conifrmed pathologically (with 251 suspicious nodules) underwent ultrasonography and were further grouped into category 3-5 according to TI-RADS classiifcation standard. The results were retrospectively compared with histopathological ifndings. The sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TI-RADS classiifcation in the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules were calculated, and the differences in ultrasonic features between benign and malignant thyroid nodules were also compared.Results The surgical and pathological findings showed that 94 nodules were benign and 157 were sinister; TI-RADS regarded 93 nodules were benign and 185 were malignant. The difference of the two means of identification was significant (χ2=149.6,P<0.01). The sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TI-RADS were 91.2% (144/157), 85.1% (80/94), 89.3% (224/251), 91.2% (144/158) and 86.0% (80/93), respectively. The ultrasonic manifestations of benign and malignant nodules were signiifcantly different with regard to aspect ratio, echogenicity, shape, calciifcation inside the nodule (χ2=8.7-121.4,P<0.01).Conclusion TI-RADS classiifcation standards have a high accuracy in the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules as a means of ultrasound examination, and thus can serve as an important guiding method in clinical diagnosis and treatment.