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Background: The European Thyroid Association Thyroid Imaging Data and Reporting Systems (EU-TIRADS) is widely used in the risk stratification of thyroid nodule malignancy. However, data on the subject in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical, sonographic and histopathological concordance of thyroid nodules in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study that examined the clinical, ultrasound and pathological data of 61 patients from 4 hospitals in the city province of Kinshasa over a period of 24 months, from June 01, 2020 to May 31, 2022. Results: Of the 61 patients, their mean age was 47.38 ± 8.8 years. The mean clinical score of the patients was 3.4 ± 0.84 with the extremes ranging from 1 to 5. The majority of the patients were classified as having an intermediate risk, ie 85.2% of the cases. It was noted that 41% of the nodules had a high risk according to the EU-TIRADS score and 8.2% of the nodules were malignant after histopathological analysis. The ROC curves reported at the diagnosis of malignancy show an area under the curve of 0.709 with 95% CI (0.486–0.931), a Youden index of 0.769 for the clinical score, and an area under the curve of 0.830 with 95% CI (0.605–0.995), a Youden index of 0.772 for the EU-TIRADS score. Conclusion: In a low-income country, a well-performed thyroid ultrasound and the well-applied clinical score could be an important tool in the selection of thyroid nodules suspected of malignancy and requiring histopathological examination to avoid excessive acts in the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The European Thyroid Association Thyroid Imaging Data and Reporting Systems (EU-TIRADS) is widely used in the risk stratification of thyroid nodule malignancy. However, data on the subject in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical, sonographic and histopathological concordance of thyroid nodules in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Methods This was an analytical cross-sectional study that examined the clinical, ultrasound and pathological data of 61 patients from 4 hospitals in the city province of Kinshasa over a period of 24 months, from June 01, 2020 to May 31, 2022. Results Of the 61 patients, their mean age was 47.38 ± 8.8 years. The mean clinical score of the patients was 3.4 ± 0.84 with the extremes ranging from 1 to 5. The majority of the patients were classified as having an intermediate risk, ie 85.2% of the cases. It was noted that 41% of the nodules had a high risk according to the EU-TIRADS score and 8.2% of the nodules were malignant after histopathological analysis. The ROC curves reported at the diagnosis of malignancy show an area under the curve of 0.709 with 95% CI (0.486–0.931), a Youden index of 0.769 for the clinical score, and an area under the curve of 0.830 with 95% CI (0.605–0.995), a Youden index of 0.772 for the EU-TIRADS score. Conclusion In a low-income country, a well-performed thyroid ultrasound and the well-applied clinical score could be an important tool in the selection of thyroid nodules suspected of malignancy and requiring histopathological examination to avoid excessive acts in the patient.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to assess postoperative outcomes in pediatric thyroid nodules with atypia of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (SFN) and their respective the European-Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) scores. METHODS: Forty-four pediatric patients at a single center with thyroid nodules classified as AUS/FLUS or SFN from August 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on demographics, thyroid function, nodule size, and ultrasonographic features were collected. Postoperative pathologies were categorized into benign, low-risk, and malignant neoplasms according to the World Health Organization 2022 criteria, and EU-TIRADS was used for retrospective radiological scoring. RESULTS: Among 21 (47.7%) of patients who had surgical intervention, 72% had Bethesda 3 and 28% had Bethesda 4 thyroid nodules. Post-surgical histopathological classifications were 43% benign, 19% low-risk, and 38% malignant. Of note, EU-TIRADS 3 and 5 scores were present in 44% and 56% of the benign cases, respectively. Malignant cases tended to produce higher EU-TIRADS scores, with 64% rated as EU-TIRADS 5. Bethesda category 4 nodules had a 66% malignancy rate, significantly higher than the 27% in category 3. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of histologically benign cases were classified as EU-TIRADS 5, suggesting that EU-TIRADS may lead to unnecessary biopsies in benign cases. Malignant cases were more likely to have a higher EU-TIRADS score, indicating a positive correlation with malignancy risk, particularly in Bethesda 4 cases. However, the EU-TIRADS system’s predictive value for malignancy in Bethesda 3 cases was poorer.

Simple Summary: The European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS) aids clinicians in determining the necessity of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for thyroid nodules suspected of malignancy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of EU-TIRADS criteria in real-world surgical settings. Results indicated that the EU-TIRADS demonstrates reliable diagnostic accuracy in identifying thyroid cancer, facilitating improved clinical decision-making regarding patient management. Enhanced adherence to EU-TIRADS guidelines can mitigate the risk of an overdiagnosis and overtreatment, particularly for low-risk thyroid cancer cases, thereby optimizing patient care. Background: The European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS) aims to reduce the overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer (TC) by guiding the selection of nodules for fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). This study sought to validate EU-TIRADS nodule selection criteria using data from EUROCRINE, an extensive international endocrine surgery registry. Method: We reviewed indications for FNAB among patients with TC compared to those with benign disease who underwent surgery between March 2020 and March 2022, considering preoperative EU-TIRADS scores and dominant nodule size (FNAB is recommended in Category 5 (˃10 mm or ˂10 mm with suspicious lymph nodes), 4 (˃15 mm), and 3 (˃20 mm)). Patients were categorized into three risk groups: minimal risk (patients with papillary microcarcinoma), high risk (patients with pT3b stage or higher, pN1b, or pM1), and low–moderate risk (all other patients). We conducted a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the EU-TIRADS. Results: We analyzed 32,008 operations. Approximately 68% of the surgical records included EU-TIRADS classifications. The EU-TIRADS exhibited diagnostic accuracy across high-volume sites, with a median ROC Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) of 0.752, indicating its effectiveness in identifying malignancy. Among the cases, 7907 patients had TC. Notably, 55% of patients with TC underwent FNAB despite not initially meeting the EU-TIRADS criteria. These patients were distributed across the minimal- (58%), low–moderate- (36%), and high-risk (5.8%) categories. Of the patients with TC recommended for FNAB, 78% were deemed low–moderate risk, 21% high risk, and only 0.7% minimal risk. Conclusion: The EU-TIRADS offers effective preoperative malignancy risk stratification. Promoting the proper use of the EU-TIRADS in clinical practice is essential to mitigate the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of low-risk TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thyroid nodule is managed according to the clinical context, ultrasound (US) findings, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) results. Most thyroid nodules are benign; however, nodule classification is crucial to avoid unnecessary thyroid surgery. We conducted this study to compare the findings of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) expressed using the Bethesda system with the features of thyroid US classified using the EU-TIRADS classification to assess the risk of malignancy. A descriptive and analytical study involving 99 patients with thyroid nodules followed up in the Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using SPSS software V21. FNA was performed on 121 nodules using the BETHESDA system. These nodules were classified as malignant, suspicious for follicular neoplasm, and suspicious for malignancy in 5.8%, 5%, and 1.7% of cases, respectively. As for the EU-TIRADS 2017 classification, 59.5% of benign nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS III, whereas 66.7% of malignant nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS V and significantly related to malignant prediction (P = 0.000). The size of nodules was significantly correlated to the risk of malignancy (P = 0.013). Seventy-five percent of nodules with central vascularity were malignant (P = 0.012). Irregularity of nodule contours was significantly associated with the risk of malignancy, as 30% of nodules with irregular contours were Bethesda VI (P = 0.003). Hypoechogenicity was found in 77.8% of malignant nodules (P = 0.004). Additionally, only 9.2% of the nodules were taller than wide, of which 37.5% were malignant (P = 0.012). For a safe management strategy, US-guided FNAC should be performed on each suspicious thyroid nodule, given the correlation between EU-TIRADS classification features and the risk of malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim was to assess postoperative outcomes in pediatric thyroid nodules with atypia of undetermined significance (AUS/ FLUS) or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (SFN) and their respective the European-Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EUTIRADS) scores. Methods: Forty-four pediatric patients at a single center with thyroid nodules classified as AUS/FLUS or SFN from August 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on demographics, thyroid function, nodule size, and ultra sonographic features were collected. Postoperative pathologies were categorized into benign, low-risk, and malignant neoplasms according to the World Health Organization 2022 criteria, and EU-TIRADS was used for retrospective radiological scoring. Results: Among 21 (47.7%) of patients who had surgical intervention, 72% had Bethesda 3 and 28% had Bethesda 4 thyroid nodules. Post-surgical histopathological classifications were 43% benign, 19% low-risk, and 38% malignant. Of note, EU-TIRADS 3 and 5 scores were present in 44% and 56% of the benign cases, respectively. Malignant cases tended to produce higher EU-TIRADS scores, with 64% rated as EU-TIRADS 5. Bethesda category 4 nodules had a 66% malignancy rate, significantly higher than the 27% in category 3. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of histologically benign cases were classified as EU-TIRADS 5, suggesting that EU-TIRADS may lead to unnecessary biopsies in benign cases. Malignant cases were more likely to have a higher EU-TIRADS score, indicating a positive correlation with malignancy risk, particularly in Bethesda 4 cases. However, the EU-TIRADS system’s predictive value for malignancy in Bethesda 3 cases was poorer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studies on the effectiveness of various TIRADS in the diagnostics of thyroid nodules differ in the method of ultrasound image assessment: real time (rtUS) vs. static ultrasonography (stUS). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of those two methods on the categorization of nodules in EU-TIRADS. Three experienced raters assessed 842 nodules in routine rtUS and reassessed with the use of sUS. Reproducibility of the assessment of malignancy risk features and categorization of nodules with EU-TIRADS was estimated with Krippendorff's alpha coefficient (Kα). The reproducibility of EU-TIRADS categories on sUS in relation to rtUS was in range 70.9–76.5% for all raters (Kα: 0.60–0.68) with the highest reproducibility for category 3 (80.0–86.5%) and the lowest for category 5 (48.7–77.8%). There was a total disagreement of the identification of microcalcifications on sUS in relation to rtUS, a strongly variable reproducibility of marked hypoechogenicity (12.5–84.6%, Kα: 0.14–0.48) and a tendency toward more frequent identification of the non-oval shape on sUS. The percentage of agreement for each pair of raters in assigning the EU-TIRADS category on sUS was in the range 71.6–72.3% (Kα: 0.60–0.62). The method of sonographic image evaluation influences the nodule's feature assessment and, eventually, the categorization within EU-TIRADS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The performance in evaluating thyroid nodules on ultrasound varies across different risk stratification systems, leading to inconsistency and uncertainty regarding diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Objective: Comparing diagnostic performance of detecting thyroid cancer among distinct ultrasound risk stratification systems proposed in the last five years. Evidence acquisition: Systematic search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to find relevant research up to December 8, 2022, whose study contents contained elucidation of diagnostic performance of any one of the above ultrasound risk stratification systems (European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System[Eu-TIRADS]; American College of Radiology TIRADS [ACR TIRADS]; Chinese version of TIRADS [C-TIRADS]; Computer-aided diagnosis system based on deep learning [S-Detect]). Based on golden diagnostic standard in histopathology and cytology, single metaanalysis was performed to obtain the optimal cut-off value for each system, and then network meta-analysis was conducted on the best risk stratification category in each system. Evidence synthesis: This network meta-analysis included 88 studies with a total of 59,304 nodules. The most accurate risk category thresholds were TR5 for Eu-TIRADS, TR5 for ACR TIRADS, TR4b and above for C-TIRADS, and possible malignancy for S-Detect. At the best thresholds, sensitivity of these systems ranged from 68% to 82% and specificity ranged from 71% to 81%. It identified the highest sensitivity for C-TIRADS TR4b and the highest specificity for ACR TIRADS TR5. However, sensitivity for ACR TIRADS TR5 was the lowest. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under curve (AUC) were ranked first in C-TIRADS. Conclusion: Among four ultrasound risk stratification options, this systemic reviewpreliminarily proved that C-TIRADS possessed favorable diagnostic performance for thyroid nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Commercially available molecular tests for thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy are expensive and usually require an additional aspiration of the nodule. Therefore, we checked whether a method free of these main disadvantages would be feasible in the case of Bethesda category III nodules. To this end, we decided to use the material remaining in the needle after preparation of the classic smear and to limit molecular diagnostics to a few well-recognized tests: BRAF V600E mutation and three microRNAs, miR-146b, miR-221 and miR-222. At the same time, we assessed the potential of the combined ultrasound and molecular evaluation of nodules and considered the distinctiveness of two main subcategories of Bethesda category III: nodules with nuclear atypia and nodules with other types of atypia (predominantly architectural). As we show, this approach facilitates clinical decision making for both of these subcategories and prevents a significant number of diagnostic thyroid surgeries. The aim of the study was to analyze the diagnostic usefulness of the combined assessment of the ultrasound risk category of the nodule (evaluated with EU-TIRADS system), the presence of BRAF V600E mutation and the expression of selected microRNAs (miR-146b, miR-221 and miR-222) in Bethesda category III thyroid nodules, separately for cases with nuclear atypia (AUS-nuclear) and cases with other types of atypia (AUS-other). We evaluated 161 nodules (66 AUS-nuclear and 95 AUS-other) with known results of postoperative histopathological examination. The rate of cancer and the rate of PTC among cancers were nearly three times higher in the AUS-nuclear than the AUS-other group. For AUS-nuclear nodules, the most effective diagnostic panel included, in addition to repeat FNA, the assessment of BRAF V600E mutation and the expression of miR-146b and miR-222 (sensitivity: 93.5%, specificity: 80.0%). For AUS-other nodules, a two-step procedure was most effective: at the first stage, forgoing surgical treatment in subjects with a benign repeat FNA outcome, and, at the second stage, the assessment of miR-222 expression and the EU-TIRADS category (sensitivity: 92.3%, specificity: 76.8%). The optimal use of molecular methods in the diagnostics of category III thyroid nodules requires a separate approach for nodules with nuclear atypia and nodules with other types of atypia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Ultrasound-based classification systems allow stratification of thyroid nodules to recommend fine-needle aspiration (FNA) based on their malignancy risk. However, these have discrepancies that may have an impact in thyroid cancer detection. We aimed to compare European Thyroid Association (EU-TIRADS) and American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS), in terms of FNA indication and diagnostic performance. Methods Retrospective study of 665 thyroid nodules from 598 patients who underwent ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration at a tertiary-care institution between January 1st of 2016 and July 31st of 2019. Based on their sonographic features they were classified according to the EU-TIRADS and ACR TI-RADS classification and then their cytological results were obtained. Differences in FNA indications according to these two classifications were analysed. In patients who underwent surgical removal of the nodules, the final pathological diagnosis was obtained. Results A statistically significant association was found between EU-TIRADS and ACR TI-RADS classification systems (p

This retrospective study compared the diagnostic accuracy of histopathologically proven thyroid nodules between the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) and the European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules characterized by ultrasonography. For thyroid nodules resected from 2018 to 2021 at our institution, static ultrasound images of each nodule were reviews and stratify into both systems. Agreement between above two classifications was compared based on histopathological results. A total 403 thyroid nodules from 213 patients were evaluated. Each nodule was characterized by ultrasonography and stratified into K-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS classifications. The diagnostic accuracy was as follows: K-TIRADS sensitivity 85.3% (95% CI, 78.7–91.9) specificity 76.8% (95% CI, 72.1–81.7), positive predictive value 57.8% (95% CI, 50.1–65.4) negative predictive value 93.4% (95% CI, 90.3–96.5); EU-TIRADS sensitivity 86.2% (95% CI, 79.7–92.7), specificity 75.5% (95% CI, 70.6–80.4), positive predictive value 56.6% (95% CI, 49.1–64.2), negative predictive value 93.7% (95% CI, 90.6–96.8). Excellent agreement in risk stratifications between both systems was found (kappa 0.86). Ultrasound thyroid nodules categorized by either by K-TIRADS or EU-TIRADS are useful to predicting malignancy and perform risk stratification with similar results. This study confirmed that both K-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS have high diagnostic accuracy and both guidelines may be used as an effective tool for management planning of patients with thyroid nodules in daily clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ultrasound is the first-line examination in the morphological exploration of the thyroid. It is an excellent diagnostic and prognostic tool in nodular thyropathy. Objective: to determine the profile of thyroid nodules on ultrasound according to the EU-TIRADS classification. Material and methods: descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the radiology department of the University Hospital of Bouaké during one year. We included all thyroid ultrasound reports of patients with thyroid nodules. Data were analysed using Epi Info 7 software. Results: A total of 60 patients had nodules out of 97 referred for thyropathy (60.8%). The mean age was 45.6 years [13-82 years]. Females predominated with 82.7%. Anterior cervical swelling was the main indication in 72%. Thyroid volume was increased in 63% of patients with a mean volume of 71 cm3. Solitary nodules were present in 46.55%. Spongiform nodules were predominant in 32%. The nodules were solid in 29.8% and mixed in 16.5%. Hypoechogenicity was found in 44.8% of solid nodules. Lesions were classified as EU-TIRADS 2 in 58.8%, EU-TIRADS 3 in 23.5%, EU-TIRADS 4 in 14.7% and EU-TIRADS 5 in 2.9%. Conclusion: The characterisation and classification of thyroid nodules is an important step in the management of patients. In our study, these nodules are essentially benign (EU-TIRADS 2 and 3) with a female predominance. A decision tree taking into account the clinical and cytopathological elements would be more useful for possible surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasound-based classification systems allow stratification of thyroid nodules to recommend fine-needle aspiration (FNA) based on their malignancy risk. However, these have discrepancies that may have an impact in thyroid cancer detection. We aimed to compare European Thyroid Association (EU-TIRADS) and American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS), in terms of FNA indication and diagnostic performance. Methods: Retrospective study of 665 thyroid nodules from 598 patients who underwent ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration at a tertiary-care institution between January 1st of 2016 and July 31st of 2019. Based on their sonographic features they were classified according to the EU-TIRADS and ACR TI-RADS classification and then their cytological results were obtained. Differences in FNA indications according to these two classifications were analysed. In patients who underwent surgical removal of the nodules, the final pathological diagnosis was obtained. Results: A statistically significant association was found between EU-TIRADS and ACR TI-RADS classification systems (p < 0.001). ACR TI-RADS allowed greatest reduction in FNA performed (32% vs 24.5%). A different risk category was obtained in 174 (26.1%) nodules, mostly higher with EU-TIRADS. The indication to FNA changed in 54 (8.1%) nodules (49 only indicated following EU-TIRADS recommendations), of which 4 had Bethesda IV and 5 had Bethesda III cytology. The FNA indication in a higher number of nodules using EU-TIRADS was due to difference in the dimensional threshold for FNA on low-risk nodules; to the fact that hypoechogenicity in a mixed nodule ascribes it moderate risk, while using ACR TI-RADS it would only be considered of low risk, and to the use of isolated sonographic features, namely marked hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications and irregular margins, to automatically categorize a nodules as high risk in EU-TIRADS, while ACR TI-RADS requires a group of potentially suspicious features to consider a nodule of high risk. The analysis of pathology proven nodules revealed equally good sensitivity of both systems in the detection of malignancy, but weak specificity, slightly greater with ACR TI-RADS (27.1% vs 18.6%). Conclusions: The EU-TIRADS and ACR TI-RADS are both suitable to assess thyroid nodules and through risk stratification avoid unnecessary FNA. FNA was less performed using ACR TI-RADS, which was slightly more efficiency in excluding malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although not yet involved in the algorithm of thyroid nodules, 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile ([99mTc]MIBI) scintigraphy may help in the individual diagnostic workup of a thyroid patient, especially where indeterminate fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of [99mTc]MIBI thyroid scintigraphy in the diagnostic algorithm of thyroid nodules, particularly in ultrasound EU-TIRADS 4 or 5 lesions, that cytologically were either indeterminate or benign. Material and methods: A retrospective randomized study, including 42 thyroid patients, with mean age 47 ± 17 years, was conducted. [99mTc]MIBI scan was compared with ultrasound (US) EU-TIRADS criteria, pertechnetate scan, FNAB and histopathological findings for the differentiation of malignant thyroid nodules from benign lesions. Results: The US mainly detected hypoechoic inhomogeneous presentation of the thyroid nodules (35/42, 83.33%), 4 cases with isoechoic nodules and 2 cases presented with hyperechoic thyroid nodules. Histopathology revealed malignancy in 15/42 (35.71%), while all other patients 27/42 (64.29%) were benign. Visual analysis score showed that patients scored with 1+ and 2+ were statistically significant to be benign, while 13 vs. 10 pts that were visual score 3+ were malignant vs. benign (p > 0.05). Sensitivity was 100%, while specificity was very low 22.22%, PPV was 41.67%. Conclusions: Even [99mTc]MIBI scan is not routinely used as a daily practice diagnostic tool of thyroid nodules, we will further apply it on a larger group of patients and try to quantify the uptake of the radiotracer to see whether it will help in the diagnostic algorithm of thyroid nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous scientific societies around the world have published their TIRADS (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System) classifications that evaluate the risk of malignancy of focal thyroid lesions, presenting different ultrasound features for each category and lesion size thresholds to determine eligibility for biopsy. The use of such risk estimation systems in focal thyroid lesions facilitates the reporting of thyroid ultrasound findings and improves the qualification of focal lesions for fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). In this publication, the three most popular TIRADS classifications, European – EU-TIRADS, Korean – K-TIRADS, and developed by the American Society of Radiology – ACR-TIRADS, are presented and discussed based on a literature review. The results of available head-to-head statistical analyses comparing the classifications are also presented. The advantage of the EU-TIRADS and K-TIRADS systems is that they include only the most important ultrasound features, so their application is not time-consuming, and the scores are easy to incorporate into clinical practice. ACR-TIRADS, unlike other scales, is based on a unique classification system and represents the most comprehensive classification. Each of the five categories of ultrasound features – morphology, echogenicity, shape, margins, microcalcifications – are evaluated and assigned a score from 0 to 3, with a higher score being associated with a higher risk of cancer. Based on the available data, the greatest benefit has been demonstrated for the ACR-TIRADS classification, which also has implications for minimising the number of unnecessary FNABs. However, limitations related to the heterogeneity of the groups analysed in the study, including differences in the populations studied, inclusion criteria, proportions of patients of either sexes, and the number of malignant lesions analysed, should also be taken into account.

Background: Pediatric thyroid nodules have a lower prevalence but a higher rate of malignancy (ROM) than those in adults. Ultrasound features suspected of malignancy lead to fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and subsequent cytological determination, upon which management is decided. Based on the characteristics of ultrasound, to standardize clinician decisions and avoid unnecessary FNAB, the European Thyroid Association and the American Radiology College have established guidelines for Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS and ACR-TIRADS) for ROM stratification of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ACR-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS in pediatric age. Materials and methods: Subjects younger than 18 years of age with thyroid nodules greater than 0.5 cm observed in the 2000-2020 period were included. Results: Data from 200 subjects were collected. The overall ROM was 13%, rising to 26% if nodules with a diameter >1 cm were considered. Patients with a malignant nodule were more likely to have a higher EU-TIRADS score (p=0.03). Missed cancer diagnoses were 26.9%. Using the EU-TIRADS system, 40% of FNABs could have been avoided, while this scoring system would have resulted in FNAB being performed in 12% of cases where the assessment of ultrasound features would not recommend FNAB. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 73.1%, 57.1%, 73.1%, and 50%, respectively. Even considering the ACR-TIRADS, a higher score correlated with a higher ROM (p<0.001). This system missed 6 diagnoses of cancer (23.1%). Using the ACR-TIRADS system, 45.3% of FNABs could have been avoided, while FNAB should have been performed in 12% of cases where it was not recommended by ultrasound characteristics. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 76.9%, 50%, 76.9%, and 42.9%, respectively. Conclusion: The present study confirms the correspondence of the EUTIRADS and ACR-TIRADS categories with respect to malignancy but indicatesnot entirely satisfactory performance compared to FNAB alone. However, the use of the two TIRADS systems should be encouraged in multicentre studies to increase their performance and establish paediatric-specific points in the scoring criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid nodules are common and detected in 2–6% in the adult population by palpation. This prevalence increased to 40–60% with the use of ultrasound. Thyroid cancer is rare, with 1020 new cancers (751 women and 287 male) registered in 2019 in Belgium [1]. Ultrasound imaging represents the cornerstone for the thyroid nodule work-up and has benefited from significant improvements in recent years. We succinctly focus on how to evaluate thyroid nodules using ultrasonography and how to use the European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS score). We will also review the possible added value of complementary ultrasound techniques such as high-resolution colour Doppler ultrasound and elastography. Further, we discuss how to select at-risk nodules to benefit from fine-needle aspiration cytology and finally we briefly review new techniques for the treatment of thyroid nodules and the role of artificial intelligence in thyroid nodule classification.

BackgroundPediatric thyroid nodules have a lower prevalence but a higher rate of malignancy (ROM) than those in adults. Ultrasound features suspected of malignancy lead to fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and subsequent cytological determination, upon which management is decided. Based on the characteristics of ultrasound, to standardize clinician decisions and avoid unnecessary FNAB, the European Thyroid Association and the American Radiology College have established guidelines for Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS and ACR-TIRADS) for ROM stratification of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ACR-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS in pediatric age.Materials and methodsSubjects younger than 18 years of age with thyroid nodules greater than 0.5 cm observed in the 2000-2020 period were included.ResultsData from 200 subjects were collected. The overall ROM was 13%, rising to 26% if nodules with a diameter >1 cm were considered. Patients with a malignant nodule were more likely to have a higher EU-TIRADS score (p=0.03). Missed cancer diagnoses were 26.9%. Using the EU-TIRADS system, 40% of FNABs could have been avoided, while this scoring system would have resulted in FNAB being performed in 12% of cases where the assessment of ultrasound features would not recommend FNAB. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 73.1%, 57.1%, 73.1%, and 50%, respectively. Even considering the ACR-TIRADS, a higher score correlated with a higher ROM (p

Our institution (University Hospital “L. Vanvitelli” - Naples, Italy) is a high-volume (HV) center in Naples metropolitan area and many patients are referred there to repeat thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) after initial FNAC performed in low-volume institutions (LV). The aims of the study were to 1) examine the inter-observer agreement between HV and LV institutions according to the Italian thyroid cytology system, and 2) explore how the discordant FNAC reports were distributed in the European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS) categories. All consecutive cases of repeat FNAC performed at University Hospital “L. Vanvitelli” from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Fleiss’ kappa (κ) was used to assess the inter-observer agreement, and categorical variables were compared by chi-square testing. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 124 nodules from 124 adults (mean age 49 years; mean maximum diameter 19 mm) were evaluated. Initial FNAC reports at LV were: 4 (3.2%) TIR1c, 64 (51.6%) TIR2, 48 (38.7%) TIR3A, 8 (6.5%) TIR3B, 0 TIR4, 0 TIR5. The overall FNAC reports were significantly different between the LV and HV institutions. At repeated FNAC, cytological diagnosis was unchanged in 64 (51.6%) cases including TIR2 and TIR3A results. A downgraded FNAC diagnosis (i.e., TIR2 vs TIR3A, TIR2 vs TIR3B) was observed in 36 (29%) nodules. An upgraded FNAC diagnosis (i.e., TIR3B vs TIR2, TIR3B vs TIR3A, TIR4 vs TIR3A, TIR5 vs TIR2, TIR5 vs TIR3B) was recorded in 24 (19.4%) nodules. The weighted inter-observer agreement between LV and HV institutions was poor (κ=0.133). Changed FNAC results were significantly (p=0.0023) more frequent in nodules at intermediate/high-risk (i.e., EU-TIRADS 4/5) than in those at no/low risk (EU-TIRADS 2/3) [i.e., 32/48 (66.7%) and 28/76 (36.8%), respectively]. Downgraded FNAC results were significantly more frequent in EU-TIRADS 2/3 (p=0.001) while upgraded FNAC were present only in EU-TIRADS 4/5 (24/24, 100.0%). The inter-observer agreement among LV and HV thyroid services was poor. The EU-TIRADS 4 and 5 categories included all the malignant nodules with FNAC results reclassified as higher risk (i.e., TIR3B-TIR4-TIR5) by the high-volume cytology service.

Purpose: Nonhomogenous and ill-defined hypoechoic areas are typical ultrasonographic features of subacute thyroiditis (SAT). Evaluating a thyroid nodule accurately in this heterogeneous paranchime may be troublesome. This study aims to compare thyroid nodules, their characteristics, and European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS) categories at the time of the diagnosis and in the remission of SAT. Methods: Ultrasonographic features of SAT and characteristics and EU-TIRADS categories of thyroid nodules in the initial and control ultrasonography (US) of 350 patients with SAT have been evaluated in this retrospective observational study. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results and postsurgical data, if performed, have been estimated. Results: A hundred patients (28.6%) with SAT had thyroid nodules at the time of the diagnosis, while 152 (43.4%) patients had a nodule in remission US (p < 0.001). The number of thyroid nodules was found to be higher in the control US as against the initial US (p = 0.001). EU-TIRADS scores of the nodules in the remission US were significantly higher than the scores at the time of the diagnosis (p < 0.001). FNAB was performed in 23% of nodules observed in the remission US, and the rate of thyroid carcinoma within them was 3.3%. Conclusion: Thyroid nodules, malignancy suspected features, and EU-TIRADS categories of them may not be appropriately evaluated due to heterogenous paranchime of SAT. Performing a control US examination after resolution of hypoechoic areas may be beneficial to avoid missing clinically significant nodules with high EU-TIRADS scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid nodules are common and detected in 2-6% in the adult population by palpation. This prevalence increased to 40-60% with the use of ultrasound. Thyroid cancer is rare, with 1020 new cancers (751 women and 287 male) registered in 2019 in Belgium [1]. Ultrasound imaging represents the cornerstone for the thyroid nodule work-up and has benefited from significant improvements in recent years. We succinctly focus on how to evaluate thyroid nodules using ultrasonography and how to use the European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS score). We will also review the possible added value of complementary ultrasound techniques such as high-resolution colour Doppler ultrasound and elastography. Further, we discuss how to select at-risk nodules to benefit from fine-needle aspiration cytology and finally we briefly review new techniques for the treatment of thyroid nodules and the role of artificial intelligence in thyroid nodule classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Over the last 15 years, there have been many recommendations for the management of patients with thyroid nodules, based on the assessment of various ultrasound (US) criteria in B-mode. In 2020, the EU-TIRADS system (2017) was included in Russian Clinical Practice Guidelines. Shear wave elastography (SWE) increases the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonic B-mode examination of thyroid nodules and can be recommended to be included in the current classification system. Objective. The study aims to assess the diagnostic efficacy of multiparametric US combining SWE and color flow mapping in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules to define their stage according to the EU-TIRADS system and decide on the need for fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Material and Methods. A total of 150 thyroid nodules from 116 patients were analyzed. Lesions were then classified according to the EU-TIRADS system, SWE with an assessment of the color map and tissue stiffness was performed (Emean). In all tumors, cytological and histological (in operated patients) verification was carried out. Results. After B-mode US with color flow mapping, differentiation of palpable thyroid abnormalities by the EU-TIRADS system was carried out. 78 nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS 2 (52%), 42 as EU-TIRADS 3 (28%), 26 as EU-TIRADS 4 (17.3%), 4 as EU-TIRADS 5 (2.7%). On cytological examination 42 tumor nodules were detected. Of these, 6 (14.3%) cases were reported as papillary thyroid carcinoma, 36 (85.7%) as follicular neoplasm, 22 (61%) among the last prove to be follicular carcinoma. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of elastograms was performed. Benign nodules were colored primarily in blue, while suspicious for malignancy revealed red areas of different size. Elasticity index in benign nodules was 24.3 ± 5.63 kPa for colloid goiter, 27.8 ± 6.35 kPa for cellular goiter; in suspicious for malignancy this index was 80.9 ± 50.9 kPa for follicular neoplasm, 114 ± 56.8 kPa for papillary thyroid cancer. The stiffness cutoff value for malignancy indicated with ROC-analysis was estimated as 45.4 kPa. Mean elasticity index (kPa) was significantly higher in suspicious for malignancy nodules than in benign nodules (р < 0.05). Of 120 (80%) nodules, primarily assessed as benign and defined as EU-TIRADS 2 and 3, 18 (12%) nodules after SWE revealed areas of high stiffness exceeding the cutoff value. After that, these nodules were transferred to EU-TIRADS 4 and 5, and these stages require fine-needle aspiration. Of these, 11 (7.3%) cases were reported as follicular neoplasm, 6 (4%) among the last prove to be follicular thyroid carcinoma. Conclusion. Using multiparametric approach with SWE will give the opportunity to classify correctly the nodule according to the EU-TIRADS and to identify greater number of thyroid tumors for fine-needle aspiration. SWE made it possible to increase the specificity of US using the EU-TIRADS system. The characteristics of the SWE score were: sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 90.3%, positive predictive value = 88%, negative predictive value = 91%, and accuracy of comprehensive study = 88.4%.

Cytology is the gold standard method for the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, though 25-30% of them are classified as indeterminate. We aimed to set up a 'thyroid risk score' (TRS) to increase the diagnostic accuracy in these cases. We prospectively tested 135 indeterminate thyroid nodules. The pre-surgical TRS derived from the sum of the scores assigned at cytology, EU-TIRADS classification, nodule measurement, and molecular characterization, which was done by our PTC-MA assay, a customized array able to cost-effectively evaluate 24 different genetic alterations including point mutations and gene fusions. The risk of malignancy (ROM) increased paralleling the score: in the category >4 and ≤ 6 (low suspicion), >6 ≤ 8 (intermediate suspicion), and >8 (high suspicion); ROM was 10, 47 and 100%, respectively. ROC curves selected the score >6.5 as the best threshold to differentiate between malignant and benign nodules (P < 0.001). The TRS > 6.5 had a better performance than the single parameters evalu ated separately, with an accuracy of 77 and 82% upon inclusion of noninvasive follicu lar thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features among malignant or benign cases, respectively. In conclusion, for the first time, we generated a score combining a cost-effective molecular assay with already validated tools, harboring different specificities and sensitivities, for the differential diagnosis of indeterminate nodules. The combination of different parameters reduced the number of false negatives inherent to each classification system. The TRS > 6.5 was highly suggestive for malignancy and retained a high accuracy in the identification of patients to be submitted to surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim was to assess postoperative outcomes in pediatric thyroid nodules with atypia of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (SFN) and their respective the European-Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) scores., Methods: Forty-four pediatric patients at a single center with thyroid nodules classified as AUS/FLUS or SFN from August 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on demographics, thyroid function, nodule size, and ultrasonographic features were collected. Postoperative pathologies were categorized into benign, low-risk, and malignant neoplasms according to the World Health Organization 2022 criteria, and EU-TIRADS was used for retrospective radiological scoring., Results: Among 21 (47.7%) of patients who had surgical intervention, 72% had Bethesda 3 and 28% had Bethesda 4 thyroid nodules. Post-surgical histopathological classifications were 43% benign, 19% low-risk, and 38% malignant. Of note, EU-TIRADS 3 and 5 scores were present in 44% and 56% of the benign cases, respectively. Malignant cases tended to produce higher EU-TIRADS scores, with 64% rated as EU-TIRADS 5. Bethesda category 4 nodules had a 66% malignancy rate, significantly higher than the 27% in category 3., Conclusion: A substantial proportion of histologically benign cases were classified as EU-TIRADS 5, suggesting that EU-TIRADS may lead to unnecessary biopsies in benign cases. Malignant cases were more likely to have a higher EU-TIRADS score, indicating a positive correlation with malignancy risk, particularly in Bethesda 4 cases. However, the EU-TIRADS system’s predictive value for malignancy in Bethesda 3 cases was poorer., (©Copyright 2024 by Turkish Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes / The Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology published by Galenos Publishing House.)

Objective: Ultrasound (US) risk stratification systems (RSSs) have been developed to reduce the number of unnecessary fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies in patients with thyroid nodules. Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) account for 5%‐10% of palpable lesions and are very rarely malignant. The present study was undertaken to investigate how RSSs classify AFTNs and whether RSSs are able to avoid unnecessary FNA biopsies in such cases. Methods: Patients with AFTN who had undergone US, scintigraphy and thyroid function evaluation from December 2016 to December 2017 were selected. US images were retrospectively reviewed and AFTN reclassified according to AACE/ACE/AME, ACR‐TIRADS, ATA, BTA, EU‐TIRADS, K‐TIRADS and TIRADS. Risk class and indication for FNA were assessed. Results: A number of 87 AFTNs from 85 consecutive patients were enrolled. A median diameter of 22 mm (range 10‐59) was found, with an ovoid isoechoic nodule being the most frequent US presentation. When AFTNs were reclassified according to US RSSs, the most common categories were low and intermediate risk. AFTNs were assessed as being at high risk/high suspicion/malignant in 1%‐9%, with good agreement among AACE/ACE/AME, ATA, EU‐TIRADS, K‐TIRADS and TIRADS. Remarkably, FNA was indicated in 27%‐90% of AFTNs. A statistically significant difference among the systems was found; 8% of cases were nonclassifiable by one or more US RSS. Conclusions: Ultrasound RSSs prompt inappropriate FNA in a significant number of patients with AFTN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound (US) has long played a major role in the assessment of thyroid nodules and their risk of malignancy, and its importance has been further enhanced over the past decade by the development of a number of US-based risk stratification systems (US-RSSs), referred to in some cases as TIRADS (Thyroid Imaging Reporting And Data Systems). The high-risk categories of all currently available US-RSSs display strong associations to cytological diagnostic classes of "malignant/suspicious-for-malignancy" and the low-risk classes are clearly associated to "not neoplastic/benign" cytology. The introduction of these systems has elevated the diagnostic performance of US to a level approaching that of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. The time seems ripe to exploit this new level of accuracy to reduce the number of FNAs for nodules likely to be benign (i.e., sonographically classified as low-risk with no suspicious clinical features). In the near future, US-RSS could also become the main tool for diagnosing papillary thyroid cancers. The establishment of a new "international TIRADS"—currently in progress—will be critical to guide us towards a new era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Many systems for risk stratification of thyroid nodule with ultrasound (US) have been proposed and the EU‐TIRADS issued by the ETA in 2017 was the last to have been published. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether the malignancy risk of each category corresponded to the given range of the guidelines and assess the diagnostic value of EU‐TIRADS in a multi‐institutional trial with histology as gold standard. Design: Three institutions in Switzerland, France and United Kingdom shared this retrospective study. Enrolment period was 2013‐2017. Included were patients who had undergone surgery with a detailed preoperative thyroid US. Methods: Cancer risk was calculated for each EU‐TIRADS score. Predictivity tests were estimated. Nonparametric statistical analysis was used. Results: The final series included 1058 nodules of which 257 (24.3%) carcinomas. Nodules were classified as EU‐TIRADS 2, 3, 4 and 5 in 6.7, 46.4, 26.2 and 20.7%, respectively. Cancer prevalence was 1.4, 3.5, 17 and 87.7% in classes 2‐5, respectively (P < 0.0001). EU‐TIRADS 5 had a significantly higher cancer rate than the other summed categories (7.7%; P < 0.0001) with OR 84.7. When EU‐TIRADS 4 and 5 were combined, 93% sensitivity and 97% NPV were found and findings of the three institutions were quite similar. Using the recommended criteria for FNA negative predictive value was 90.9%. Conclusions: The cancer rate was within or close to the given range described in the EU‐TIRADS guidelines. The diagnostic value was satisfactory. The results were similar in the three institutions participating in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Several ultrasound (US) risk stratification systems have been proposed for the assessment of thyroid nodules, and their performance was shown as good. However, the rate of nodules assessed at intermediate risk is not negligible and whether they should be submitted or not to further examination is still under debate. The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability of 18F‐FDG PET/CT in stratifying the risk of malignancy in these lesions. Methods: Two institutions participated to this retrospective study in which a dedicated 18F‐FDG PET/CT was proposed to patients having a thyroid nodule with US assessment of EU‐TIRADS 4 or 5. 18F‐FDG PET/CT did not influence the diagnostic and therapeutic decision. Histology was the gold standard for all patients. Results: Ninety‐three patients were included for the study with 48 EU‐TIRADS 4 and 45 EU‐TIRADS 5 nodules. Of these, 26 underwent thyroidectomy following FNAC suspicious for or consistent with malignancy, 38 for inconclusive cytology, 27 because of large goitre and 2 for high‐risk lesion at US. At histology, 35 carcinomas and 58 benign lesions were found. Cancer prevalence was 16.7% in EU‐TIRADS 4 and 60% in EU‐TIRADS 5. Overall, 18F‐FDG PET/CT was positive in 33/35 cancers (94.5% sensitivity) and negative in 31/58 benign lesions (53.4% specificity). When considering only EU‐TIRADS 4, 18F‐FDG PET/CT was positive in 7/8 cancers and negative in 20/40 benign lesions; among these, there were 36 cases with FNAC indication according to dimensional cut‐off (ie >1.5 cm), and 18F‐FDG PET/CT showed 85.7% sensitivity and 41.4% specificity. Conclusions: 18F‐FDG PET/CT may have a role in stratifying the cancer risk of thyroid nodules with an intermediate ultrasound assessment. More specifically, thyroid lesions classified as EU‐TIRADS 4 and with no 18F‐FDG uptake could be ruled out from further examination, similar to other anamnestic and clinical suspicious factors of patients. Further prospective and cost‐effectiveness studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ultrasound is the first-line examination in the morphological exploration of the thyroid. It is an excellent diagnostic and prognostic tool in nodular thyropathy., Objective: to determine the profile of thyroid nodules on ultrasound according to the EU-TIRADS classification., Material and Methods: descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the radiology department of the University Hospital of Bouaké during one year. We included all thyroid ultrasound reports of patients with thyroid nodules. Data were analysed using Epi Info 7 software., Results: A total of 60 patients had nodules out of 97 referred for thyropathy (60.8%). The mean age was 45.6 years [13-82 years]. Females predominated with 82.7%. Anterior cervical swelling was the main indication in 72%. Thyroid volume was increased in 63% of patients with a mean volume of 71 cm3. Solitary nodules were present in 46.55%. Spongiform nodules were predominant in 32%. The nodules were solid in 29.8% and mixed in 16.5%. Hypoechogenicity was found in 44.8% of solid nodules. Lesions were classified as EU-TIRADS 2 in 58.8%, EU-TIRADS 3 in 23.5%, EU-TIRADS 4 in 14.7% and EU-TIRADS 5 in 2.9%., Conclusion: The characterisation and classification of thyroid nodules is an important step in the management of patients. In our study, these nodules are essentially benign (EU-TIRADS 2 and 3) with a female predominance. A decision tree taking into account the clinical and cytopathological elements would be more useful for possible surgery., (Le comité de rédaction se réserve le droit de renvoyer aux auteurs avant toute soumission à l'avis des lecteurs les manuscrits qui ne seraient pas conformes à ces modalités de présentation. En outre il leur conseille de conserver un exemplaire du manuscrit, des figures et des tableaux.)

Background: Although not yet involved in the algorithm of thyroid nodules, 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile ([99mTc]MIBI) scintigraphy may help in the individual diagnostic workup of a thyroid patient, especially where indeterminate fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of [99mTc]MIBI thyroid scintigraphy in the diagnostic algorithm of thyroid nodules, particularly in ultrasound EU-TIRADS 4 or 5 lesions, that cytologically were either indeterminate or benign., Material and M: ETHODS: A retrospective randomized study, including 42 thyroid patients, with mean age 47 ± 17 years, was conducted. [99mTc]MIBI scan was compared with ultrasound (US) EU-TIRADS criteria, pertechnetate scan, FNAB and histopathological findings for the differentiation of malignant thyroid nodules from benign lesions., Results: The US mainly detected hypoechoic inhomogeneous presentation of the thyroid nodules (35/42, 83.33%), 4 cases with isoechoic nodules and 2 cases presented with hyperechoic thyroid nodules. Histopathology revealed malignancy in 15/42 (35.71%), while all other patients 27/42 (64.29%) were benign. Visual analysis score showed that patients scored with 1+ and 2+ were statistically significant to be benign, while 13 vs. 10 pts that were visual score 3+ were malignant vs. benign (p > 0.05). Sensitivity was 100%, while specificity was very low 22.22%, PPV was 41.67%., Conclusions: Even [99mTc]MIBI scan is not routinely used as a daily practice diagnostic tool of thyroid nodules, we will further apply it on a larger group of patients and try to quantify the uptake of the radiotracer to see whether it will help in the diagnostic algorithm of thyroid nodules.

Our institution (University Hospital "L. Vanvitelli" - Naples, Italy) is a high-volume (HV) center in Naples metropolitan area and many patients are referred there to repeat thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) after initial FNAC performed in low-volume institutions (LV). The aims of the study were to 1) examine the inter-observer agreement between HV and LV institutions according to the Italian thyroid cytology system, and 2) explore how the discordant FNAC reports were distributed in the European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS) categories. All consecutive cases of repeat FNAC performed at University Hospital "L. Vanvitelli" from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Fleiss' kappa (κ) was used to assess the inter-observer agreement, and categorical variables were compared by chi-square testing. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 124 nodules from 124 adults (mean age 49 years; mean maximum diameter 19 mm) were evaluated. Initial FNAC reports at LV were: 4 (3.2%) TIR1c, 64 (51.6%) TIR2, 48 (38.7%) TIR3A, 8 (6.5%) TIR3B, 0 TIR4, 0 TIR5. The overall FNAC reports were significantly different between the LV and HV institutions. At repeated FNAC, cytological diagnosis was unchanged in 64 (51.6%) cases including TIR2 and TIR3A results. A downgraded FNAC diagnosis (i.e., TIR2 vs TIR3A, TIR2 vs TIR3B) was observed in 36 (29%) nodules. An upgraded FNAC diagnosis (i.e., TIR3B vs TIR2, TIR3B vs TIR3A, TIR4 vs TIR3A, TIR5 vs TIR2, TIR5 vs TIR3B) was recorded in 24 (19.4%) nodules. The weighted inter-observer agreement between LV and HV institutions was poor (κ=0.133). Changed FNAC results were significantly (p=0.0023) more frequent in nodules at intermediate/high-risk (i.e., EU-TIRADS 4/5) than in those at no/low risk (EU-TIRADS 2/3) [i.e., 32/48 (66.7%) and 28/76 (36.8%), respectively]. Downgraded FNAC results were significantly more frequent in EU-TIRADS 2/3 (p=0.001) while upgraded FNAC were present only in EU-TIRADS 4/5 (24/24, 100.0%). The inter-observer agreement among LV and HV thyroid services was poor. The EU-TIRADS 4 and 5 categories included all the malignant nodules with FNAC results reclassified as higher risk (i.e., TIR3B-TIR4-TIR5) by the high-volume cytology service., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Scappaticcio, Trimboli, Iorio, Maiorino, Longo, Croce, Pignatelli, Ferrandes, Cozzolino, Montella, Ronchi, Franco, Rotondi, Docimo, Esposito and Bellastella.)

Introduction: Thyroid nodule (TN) harbouring a thyroid carcinoma are more common in paediatric than adult patients. In paediatric population, the evaluation of a TN should require specific paediatric tools for its diagnostic and therapeutic management. High-resolution ultrasonography and cytological evaluation after fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) remain the cornerstones of evaluation of TN., Objectives: To evaluate in paediatric TN for the first time the usefulness and precision of the ultrasound criteria defined by the "Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) 2017 in adults" to establish the ultrasound indication for the practice of FNAB and stratify the risk of malignancy., Patients and Methods: 24 paediatric patients under age 18 years with thyroid nodules were attended in the last 15 years, 24 of them (31 nodules; age: 15.2 ± 2.2 years; 18 women) met the inclusion criteria: FNAB with Bethesda classification and ultrasound with EU-TIRADS score. EU-TIRADS score were evaluated retrospectively. Fourteen patients underwent surgery and the definitive histological diagnosis was obtained, this allowed the calculations of sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of the EU-TIRADS and Bethesda classification. Data on the largest diameters of the nodules were collected., Results: Of the overall 31 nodules, the distribution by EU-TIRADS (T) category was: T1 (3.2%), T2: 2 (6.4%), T3: 7 (22.6%), T4: 16 (51.6%) and T5: 5 (16.1%). All malignant nodules were included in EU-TIRADS category 4 or 5. By the other hand, 13 of the 25 benign nodules were also included in the EU-TIRADS 4 category, and one in the 5. The distribution by categories of Bethesda's classification (B): BI: 6 (19.4%), BII: 14 (45.2%), BIII: 5 (16.1%), BIV: 2 (6.5%), BV: 0 and BVI: 4 (12.9%). The pathological diagnosis of the 14 patients who underwent surgery was: 6 papillary carcinomas and 8 with benign lesions: 6 nodular hyperplasia and 2 follicular adenoma. The percentage of malignancy was 42%. The sensitivity of the EU-TIRADS classification to detect malignant nodules was 100%, the specificity was 25%, PPV 44% and NPV 100%. The sensitivity of the Bethesda classification to detect malignant nodules was 86%, the specificity was 75%, PPV 67% and NPV 90%. The analysis of the largest diameter of the nodules did not show statistically significant differences between benign and malignant lesions., Conclusions: EU-TIRADS for ultrasonographic criteria classification in combination with the clinical history is an adequate and reproducible method to estimate suspicion of malignancy of paediatric TN. It is also a reliable diagnostic tool to decide which nodules will be candidates for FNAB., (Copyright © 2021 SEEN and SED. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Lymph node neck metastases are frequent in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Current guidelines state, on a weak level of evidence, that level VI dissection is mandatory in the presence of latero-cervical metastases. The aim of our study is to evaluate predictive factors for the absence of level VI involvement despite the presence of metastases to the lateral cervical stations in PTC. Eighty-eight patients operated for PTC with level II–V metastases were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Demographics, thyroid function, autoimmunity, nodule size and site, cancer variant, multifocality, Bethesda and EU-TIRADS, number of central and lateral lymph nodes removed, number of positive lymph nodes and outcome were recorded. At univariate analysis, PTC location and number of positive lateral lymph nodes were risk criteria for failure to cure. ROC curves demonstrated the association of the number of positive lateral lymph nodes and failure to cure. On multivariate analysis, the protective factors were PTC located in lobe center and number of positive lateral lymph nodes < 4. Kaplan–Meier curves confirmed the absence of central lymph nodes as a positive prognostic factor. In the selected cases, Central Neck Dissection (CND) could be avoided even in the presence of positive Lateralcervical Lymph Nodes (LLN+). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data demonstrating a correlation between sonographic markers of malignancy of thyroid cancer (TC) and its genetic status are scarce. This study aimed to assess whether the addition of genetic analysis at the preoperative step of TC patients' stratification could aid their clinical management. The material consisted of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor fragments of 49 patients who underwent thyroidectomy during the early stages of papillary TC (PTC). Tumor DNA and RNA were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) on Ion Proton using the Oncomine™ Comprehensive Assay panel. We observed a significant correlation between BRAF V600E and a higher EU-TIRADS score (p-value = 0.02) with a correlation between hypoechogenicity and taller-than-wide tumor shape in analysed patients. There were no other significant associations between the identified genetic variants and other clinicopathological features. For TC patient's stratification, a strong suspicion of BRAF V600E negativity in preoperative management of TC patients could limit the over-treatment of asymptomatic, very low-risk, indolent disease and leave room for active surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]