The Usefulness of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in Determining Thyroid Malignancy

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Thyroid nodules are common, and accurate malignancy prediction is crucial for appropriate management.
• The Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (TIRADS) is widely used to standardize ultrasound reporting and stratify risk.
• Evaluating modified TIRADS versions is essential to optimize diagnostic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a modified TIRADS in predicting malignancy in patients who underwent surgical treatment for thyroid nodules.
• To compare the diagnostic accuracy of modified TIRADS reports versus standard ultrasound reports in identifying malignant thyroid nodules.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 124 patients with thyroid nodules who underwent ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), and surgical resection.
• Patients were categorized into two groups: those with a formal modified TIRADS report and those without.
• Comparison of FNAB results and final pathology for malignancy detection between the two groups.

Main Results:

• Of 124 patients, 31 (25%) had a modified TIRADS report, while 93 (75%) did not.
• No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding gender, age, FNAB results, final pathology, or incidental malignancy findings.
• Concordance between FNAB and final pathology for malignancy was not significantly different between groups.

Conclusions:

• The modified TIRADS report did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in the overall detection of malignancy compared to standard ultrasound reports.
• Despite TIRADS's utility in correlating with FNAB, this study indicates its modified version did not enhance malignancy prediction in this cohort.
• Further research may be needed to refine TIRADS or explore alternative imaging biomarkers for improved thyroid nodule risk stratification.