Differentiation of benign thyroid nodules from malignant ones using European thyroid imaging reporting and data system (EU-TIRADS)

Abstract

Purpose: It is essential to predict the malignancy risk in thyroid nodules. For this purpose, thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) classification system can be used to evaluate malignancy risk and plan the treatment strategy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical feasibility and reliability of European-TIRADS (EU-TIRADS) classification. Materials and methods: In all, 156 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided FNAB of thyroid between May 2013 and May 2016 were included in this retrospective study. Ultrasound images were reviewed, and ultrasound-guided FNAB results were obtained. With the use of EU-TIRADS classification, each nodule was categorized as TIRADS from 1 to 5 according to its ultrasound features. Results: FNAB was performed in 196 nodules. Twenty-seven (14%) nodules were histopathologically diagnosed as malignant. The risk of malignancy of TIRADS 2, 3, 4, and 5 was 0%, 2.2%, 5.1%, 59,5%, respectively. Considering TIRADS 2, 3, and 4 as probable benign and TIRADS 5 as probable malignant, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were found to be as 0.82, 0.91, 0.60, and 0.97, respectively. The overall accuracy of ultrasound was determined as 0.90. Conclusion: EU-TIRADS is an easy tool to apply and it is reliable in prediction of malignancy risk of thyroid nodules.