Thyroid ultrasound features and risk of carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Thyroid nodules are a common finding in the general population, and their detection is increasing with the widespread use of ultrasound (US). Thyroid cancer is found in 5-15% of cases depending on sex, age, and exposure to other risk factors. Some US parameters have been associated with increased risk of malignancy. However, no characteristic seems sufficiently reliable in isolation to diagnose malignancy. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of US features for thyroid malignancy in patients with unselected thyroid nodules and nodules with indeterminate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology.

Methods

Electronic databases were reviewed for studies published prior to July 2012 that evaluated US features of thyroid nodules and

SUBMITTER: Remonti LR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4447137 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature