Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jun 2020)

Comparison of Ultrasonography Features and K-TIRADS for Isthmic and Lobar Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas: A Single-Center Study

  • Yoo Jin Lee,
  • Dong Wook Kim,
  • Gi Won Shin,
  • Jin Young Park,
  • Hye Jung Choo,
  • Ha Kyoung Park,
  • Tae Kwun Ha,
  • Do Hun Kim,
  • Soo Jin Jung,
  • Ji Sun Park,
  • Sung Ho Moon,
  • Ki Jung Ahn,
  • Hye Jin Baek

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00328
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Objective: This study aimed to compare ultrasonography (US) features and the Korean-Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) categories for diagnosing isthmic and lobar papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC).Methods: From January 2009 to December 2012, 163 patients who underwent thyroid surgery and were confirmed with a post-operative histopathological diagnosis of isthmic PTC were retrospectively included. Fifty-nine patients were excluded because their tumor size was <0.5 cm or because of other reasons. The control group comprised of 145 patients who underwent thyroid surgery from January to April 2013 for a classic type of PTC, with the largest diameter being ≥ 0.5 cm and located in the thyroid lobe. A single radiologist retrospectively reviewed the US features and K-TIRADS categories of each nodule using a picture archiving and communication system.Results: Among 104 patients with isthmic PTC, 95 and 9 had primary and secondary cancers, respectively. On the other hand, all 145 patients with lobar PTC had primary cancers. Isthmic PTC showed a lower prevalence of non-parallel orientation than lobar PTC (23.1 and 71%). Nodule orientation was the only US feature statistically different between the two groups (p < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in patient age, sex, nodule size, composition, echogenicity, microcalcification, spiculated/microlobulated margin, and K-TIRADS category between the two groups (p > 0.05).Conclusions: K-TIRADS may be useful in the diagnosis of both isthmic and lobar PTC.

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