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Sonographic diagnosis of thyroid nodules: Correlation with the results of sonographically guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy
Author(s) -
Kovacevic Obad,
Smetana Škurla Mirna
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.20287
Subject(s) - medicine , thyroid nodules , fine needle aspiration , biopsy , thyroid , radiology , aspiration biopsy , ultrasonography
Purpose. To assess the reliability of sonography in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules and selecting lesions for fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). Methods. During a 2‐year period, the following 7 sonographic parameters were assessed in 129 patients with thyroid nodules: size, number, echogenicity, echotexure, margin regularity, presence of calcifications, and presence of a hypoechoic rim. Sonographically guided FNA was performed on thyroid nodules ≥5 mm in diameter. Out of 184 FNAs, we obtained 168 specimens adequate for cytologic analysis and 16 (9%) nondiagnostic specimens. Results. FNA diagnoses included 150 (89%) benign and 18 (11%) malignant nodules. Among 53 solitary nodules, 11 were carcinomas and 42 were benign ( p < 0.01). The mean size of the carcinomas was 28 ± 12 mm versus 18 ± 10 mm for benign nodules ( p < 0.01). The following sonographic features were significantly associated with malignancy: hypoechogenicity, irregular margins, calcifications, and absence of a hypoechoic rim. Differences in echotexure between malignant and benign nodules were not statistically significant. Conclusion. Sonographically guided FNA should be performed on thyroid nodules ≥5 mm in diameter with sonographic characteristics that suggest malignancy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 35, 2007