Evaluation of the Efficacy of Ultrasound as an Indicator of Malignancy or Benignity of the Thyroid Nodule

Abstract

Introduction: Nodules constitute one of the most frequent diseases of the thyroid. Objective: To determine the efficacy of diagnostic ultrasound in thyroid nodules. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study in patients with suspected thyroid nodule, who attended the clinic, from September 2021 to September 2022. The study population consisted of 413 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of thyroid nodule. Variables included: sex, number of nodules; presence of cystic degeneration, nodule sonography; presence of hypoechoic halo, calcifications, and cytohistological result. Statistical analysis used calculation of sensitivity, specificity; positive and negative predictive value, efficacy index, and Chi-square test. Results: 87.9% were female. Single nodules presented a higher frequency of malignancy, 70.6%; sonographic hypoechogenicity; absence of hypoechoic halo, presence of microcalcifications were associated with malignancy with statistical significance. The presence of cystic degeneration was associated with benignity in 46.2%. Of the biopsied patients, 8.2% presented malignant lesions, 21 were diagnosed by ultrasound and confirmed by cytology; with a sensitivity of 61.76%, specificity of 99.21%; positive predictive value of 87.50% and efficacy index of 96.13%. Conclusion: The sonographic characteristics suggestive of malignancy or benignity of the thyroid nodule make diagnostic ultrasound a moderate and sensitive examination in the suspicion and detection of malignant lesions.