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Synchronous Triplanar Reconstruction Integrated with Color Doppler Mapping for Precise and Rapid Localization of Thyroid Lesions
Published on: February 9, 2024
Positive predictive value and interobserver variability of preoperative staging sonography for thyroid carcinoma
Hee Jung Moon1, Jung Hyun Yoon, Jin Young Kwak
1Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu, 120-752 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|July 26, 2011
Summary
Preoperative staging sonography for thyroid cancer demonstrates high positive predictive value (PPV) for T staging, bilaterality, and N1b staging. Interobserver agreement was substantial to excellent for most staging parameters.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Accurate preoperative staging of thyroid carcinoma is crucial for treatment planning and patient outcomes.
- Sonography is a primary imaging modality for evaluating thyroid nodules and regional lymph nodes.
- Assessing the accuracy and reliability of sonographic staging is essential for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) of preoperative staging sonography for thyroid carcinoma.
- To assess the interobserver variability among radiologists in sonographic staging of thyroid cancer.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-five patients with thyroid carcinoma were included in the study.
- T and N staging were performed using TNM classification criteria.
- Sonographic criteria for lymph node metastases and extrathyroidal extension were defined.
- Positive predictive values and interobserver agreement (kappa values) were calculated for two radiologists.
Main Results:
- Sonography showed high PPV for T staging (65-100%), bilaterality (71.4-81.8%), and N1b staging (40-100%).
- Interobserver agreement was moderate for T staging (kappa=0.53) and N staging (kappa=0.68), substantial for multifocality (kappa=0.77) and bilaterality (kappa=0.86).
- Agreement varied based on tumor size, with generally lower kappa values for larger tumors (>10 mm).
Conclusions:
- Preoperative staging sonography exhibits high PPV for T staging, bilaterality, and N1b staging in thyroid carcinoma.
- Sonographic staging demonstrates moderate to excellent interobserver agreement for T and N staging, multifocality, and bilaterality.
- Sonography is a valuable tool for preoperative staging of thyroid cancer, with reliable interobserver performance.

