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| IJCEM Copyright © 2008-All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711 |
Int J Clin Exp Med 2013;6(8):641-648
Original Article
Evaluation of diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound scoring system to select thyroid
nodules requiring fine needle aspiration biopsy
Afshin Mohammadi, Tohid Hajizadeh
Department of Radiology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, West Azarbaijan, Urmia, Iran; Urmia University of Medical Sciences,
School of Medicine, Student Research Center, West Azarbaijan, Urmia, Iran
Received April 19, 2013; Accepted August 11, 2013; Epub September 1, 2013; Published September 15, 2013
Abstract: Introduction: The large number of patients that require fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to discriminate malignant from
benign thyroid nodules is a practical problem especially in iodine deficient area. To obtain an ultrasound (US) score and for predicting
malignant nodules and reduce the number of unnecessary and expensive FNAB. Materials and Methods: A total of 280 thyroid nodules
observed from August 2009 to August 2011 that had underwent FNAB were evaluated by US for echogenicity, peripheral halo,
microcalcifications and intranodular vascularity. Results: showed that nodules with two ultrasonographic features (US score = 4) were
characterized by a 67.9% sensitivity and a 87% specificity for prediction of malignant thyroid nodules. Conclusion: According to our data,
we suggest FNAB for nodules with US score ≥ 4. The practical use of this US score may help reduce unnecessary and expensive FNAB
especially in iodine-deficient areas. (IJCEM1304014).
Keywords: Goiter, nodular, thyroid nodule, thyroid cancer
Address correspondence to: Dr. Afshin Mohammadi, Department of Radiology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, West
Azarbaijan, Urmia, Iran. Tel: 984413455810; Fax: 984413455810; E-mail: mohamadi_afshin@yahoo.com; afshin.mohdi@gmail.com
Original Article
Evaluation of diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound scoring system to select thyroid
nodules requiring fine needle aspiration biopsy
Afshin Mohammadi, Tohid Hajizadeh
Department of Radiology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, West Azarbaijan, Urmia, Iran; Urmia University of Medical Sciences,
School of Medicine, Student Research Center, West Azarbaijan, Urmia, Iran
Received April 19, 2013; Accepted August 11, 2013; Epub September 1, 2013; Published September 15, 2013
Abstract: Introduction: The large number of patients that require fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to discriminate malignant from
benign thyroid nodules is a practical problem especially in iodine deficient area. To obtain an ultrasound (US) score and for predicting
malignant nodules and reduce the number of unnecessary and expensive FNAB. Materials and Methods: A total of 280 thyroid nodules
observed from August 2009 to August 2011 that had underwent FNAB were evaluated by US for echogenicity, peripheral halo,
microcalcifications and intranodular vascularity. Results: showed that nodules with two ultrasonographic features (US score = 4) were
characterized by a 67.9% sensitivity and a 87% specificity for prediction of malignant thyroid nodules. Conclusion: According to our data,
we suggest FNAB for nodules with US score ≥ 4. The practical use of this US score may help reduce unnecessary and expensive FNAB
especially in iodine-deficient areas. (IJCEM1304014).
Keywords: Goiter, nodular, thyroid nodule, thyroid cancer
Address correspondence to: Dr. Afshin Mohammadi, Department of Radiology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, West
Azarbaijan, Urmia, Iran. Tel: 984413455810; Fax: 984413455810; E-mail: mohamadi_afshin@yahoo.com; afshin.mohdi@gmail.com
