Al-Chalabi H, Karthik S, Vaidyanathan S. Radiological-pathological correlation of the British Thyroid Association ultrasound classification of thyroid nodules: a real-world validation study.
Clin Radiol 2019;
74:702-711. [PMID:
31272599 DOI:
10.1016/j.crad.2019.05.026]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM
To evaluate the real-world performance of the British Thyroid Association (BTA) U classification, specifically focusing on radiology-pathology correlation and to glean learning points.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Adults undergoing a neck ultrasound for thyroid nodules were reviewed over a period of 1-year. Data including demographics, nodule characteristics, BTA grading, and cytology/histopathology were retrieved with a minimum 24-month follow-up.
RESULTS
Of 1,225 graded nodules in 964 patients, cytology and/or histology were available for 300 (24%). 57 cancers were detected. Of 24 (2%) U5 nodules, 14 were malignant, of 51 (4%) U4, 22 were malignant, of 256 (21%) U3, 20 were malignant, and from 894 (73%) U2 nodules, one cancer was discovered. BTA U grading with fine-needle aspiration (FNA)/core biopsy achieved 96.5% sensitivity, 93.7% specificity, and 93.9% accuracy compared to excision. There was no association between nodule size and rate of malignancy.
CONCLUSION
This is the first study to validate the use of the BTA U-grading system in UK clinical practice. The BTA U-grading system is a robust and reliable method of evaluating the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules with a high negative predictive value. Key learning points gleaned from the study were accurate assessment of nodule echogenicity, careful evaluation of solid-cystic nodules, optimising ultrasound technique, and the low-risk nature of U3 nodules.
Collapse