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Cozzolino A, Filardi T, Simonelli I, Grani G, Virili C, Stramazzo I, Santaguida MG, Locantore P, Maurici M, Gianfrilli D, Isidori AM, Durante C, Pozza C. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic features in detecting thyroid cancer in the transition age: a meta-analysis. Eur Thyroid J 2022; 11:e220039. [PMID: 35521998 PMCID: PMC9254313 DOI: 10.1530/etj-22-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Significant uncertainty exists about the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic (US) features used to predict the risk of thyroid cancer in the pediatric population. Moreover, there are no specific indications for thyroid nodule evaluation in patients during the transition age. Objective The meta-analysis aimed to address the following question: which thyroid nodule US features have the highest accuracy in predicting malignancy in the transition age. Methods We performed a meta-analysis of observational/cohort/diagnostic accuracy studies dealing with thyroid nodule sonography, reporting US features, and using histology as a reference standard for the diagnosis of malignancy and histology or cytology for the diagnosis of benignity in the transition age (mean/median age 12-21 years). Results The inclusion criteria were met by 14 studies, published between 2005 and 2020, including 1306 thyroid nodules (mean size 17.9 mm) from 1168 subjects. The frequency of thyroid cancer was 36.6%. The US features with the highest diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for malignancy were the presence of suspicious lymph nodes (DOR: 56.0 (95% CI: 26.0-119.0)), a 'taller than wide' shape of the nodule (6.0 (95% CI: 2.0-16.0)), the presence of microcalcifications (13.0 (95% CI: 6.0-29.0)) and irregular margins (9.0 (95% CI: 5.0-17.0)). Heterogeneity among the studies was substantial. Conclusions Following the diagnosis of a thyroid nodule in the transition age, a thorough US examination of the neck is warranted. The detection of suspicious lymph nodes and/or thyroid nodules with a 'taller than wide' shape, microcalcifications, and irregular margins is associated with the highest risk of malignancy in the selection of nodules candidates for biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cozzolino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Filardi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Simonelli
- Service of Medical Statistics and Information Technology, Fatebenefratelli Foundation for Health Research and Education, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Grani
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Virili
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| | - Ilaria Stramazzo
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Santaguida
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| | - Pietro Locantore
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Maurici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Gianfrilli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cosimo Durante
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlotta Pozza
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - on behalf of TALENT Group
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Service of Medical Statistics and Information Technology, Fatebenefratelli Foundation for Health Research and Education, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Latina, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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