Abstract
Introduction
The British Thyroid Association (BTA) recommend ultrasound assessment of thyroid nodules using the U classification. The American College of Radiologists (ACR) recommend assessment with the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS). We conduct the first UK study to compare these two systems.
Methods
Ultrasound (US) reports of patients who underwent surgical excision of thyroid nodules over a 10-year period in one UK centre were reviewed. US findings were collected, and the classifications were retrospectively applied. The systems were compared to histopathological diagnosis.
Results
308 nodules in 296 patients are included. 135 nodules (43.8%) were malignant. U classification showed sensitivity of 88.1% in recommending FNA, significantly higher than TIRADS at 73.3% (p=0.0002). The U classification showed specificity of 41.6%, significantly lower than TIRADS at 64.2% (p=<0.0001). PPV between classifications at equivalent levels showed no significant difference at U3/TR-3 (p=0.81), U4/TR-4 (p=0.30) or U5/TR-5 (p=0.90).
Discussion
Classification systems enable risk stratification of potentially malignant thyroid nodules. This study shows BTA U classification has a higher sensitivity but lower specificity than TIRADS.
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