Table 2. Ultrasonographic criteria for thyroid cancer.

Criterion	Positive predictive value*1 (%)	Negative predictive value*2 (%)
Hypoechoic area	74–94	11–68
Microcalcifications	42–94	24–71
Poorly demarcated border / no halo effect	39–98	9–60
Intranodular vascularization	86–97	24–42
Anteroposterior diameter/ transverse diameter >1	75	67

^*1Probability that thyroid cancer will be diagnosed if the criterion is met

^*2Probability that thyroid cancer will be ruled out if the criterion is not met (9)