Ultrasound characterization for thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology: inter-observer agreement and impact of combining pattern-based and scoring-based classifications in risk stratification.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) sonographic patterns stratify the risk of malignancy of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs). This study aimed to (1) assess inter-observer agreement for sonographic features and patterns; (2) identify potential sources of disagreement; and (3) evaluate whether the number of suspicious features risk-stratifies non-ATA and high-suspicion patterns.

Methods

Three observers independently reviewed the ultrasound images of 463 ITNs with histological follow-up consecutively evaluated between October 2008 and June 2015 at an academic cancer center. Each observer evaluated individual sonographic features. ATA sonographic patterns were derived from the interpretation of sonographic features. Nodules not fitting into any o

SUBMITTER: Lam CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7771547 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature