Pediatric Thyroid Nodules: Ultrasound Characteristics as Indicators of Malignancy

Abstract

Objective Pediatric thyroid nodules are uncommon but carry a 25% malignancy risk. Adult patients have well-established ultrasound characteristics that are predictive of malignancy, but these are not clearly defined in pediatric patients. We reviewed a case series of pediatric thyroid nodules. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Tertiary children’s hospital. Method Institutional review board approval was obtained. This case series with chart review includes all pediatric thyroid nodules with ultrasounds from 2006 to 2016 at 2 pediatric tertiary care centers. Results An overall 112 pediatric thyroid nodules were analyzed. The mean patient age was 14.3 years; there was a female:male ratio of 4:1; and 94% were Caucasian. Seventeen percent (20/112) of nodules were malignant. In patients with malignant nodules, the average presenting age was 15.5 years, with a female:male ratio of 5.6:1. Seventy percent of malignant nodules had accompanying microcalcifications, 55% had abnormal lymph nodes, and 45% had irregular margins. In the benign nodules, 11% had microcalcifications, 12% had abnormal lymph nodes, and 26% had irregular margins. The presence of microcalcifications (odds ratio, 19.1 [95% CI, 6.0-61.0]; P 3.5 cm (odds ratio, 5.8 [95% CI, 1.5-22.5]; P = .01) was associated with thyroid cancer. Irregular margins were not statistically significant (odds ratio, 2.3 [95% CI, 0.86-6.3]; P = .9). Conclusions Our data suggest that abnormal lymph nodes, microcalcifications, and size >3.5 cm could be predictors of malignancy in the pediatric population and influence clinical decision making.