Results: The study sample included of 30(24.6%) malignant and 92(75.4%) benign nodules. Hypoechogenicity and microcalcification showed statistically significant positive associations with thyroid malignancy (P<0.05).Also, according to Fisher's exact test, 7% and 20% of men had benign and malignant nodules, and 86% and 80% of women had benign and malignant nodules, respectively. But there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Hypoechogenicity had 63.3% sensitivity and 67.04% specificity, microcalcification had 60% sensitivity and 65.93% specificity. Having at least one good sonographic feature resulted in the highest sensitivity (86.67%), while the presence of both features had almost perfect specificity (91.3%) and the highest positive likelihood ratio (4.21).
Conclusion: According to the results of this article, the presence of Microcalcification variables and Hypoechogenicity are the most important criteria in predicting thyroid malignancy, and they are Locate in the TI-RADS grading. Therefore, nodules larger than 1 cm in size with the characteristics of microcalcification and homogeneity ultrasound should be the main focus of diagnostic evaluations.
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