Table 2.
Ultrasound features of patients with Bethesda category III TNs
| Parameters | A: Total study group (n=127) | B: Noncancer (n=114) | C: Cancer (n=13) | p-value (B vs C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microcalcification | <0.0001a | |||
| No | 99 (78.0) | 96 (84.2) | 3 (23.1) | |
| Yes | 28 (22.0) | 18 (15.8) | 10 (76.9) | |
| Echogenicity | <0.0001a | |||
| Hyperechoic | 79 (62.2) | 78 (68.4) | 1 (7.7) | |
| Hypoechoic | 48 (37.8) | 36 (31.6) | 12 (92.3) | |
| Irregular margin | <0.0001a | |||
| No | 83 (65.4) | 82 (71.9) | 1 (7.7) | |
| Yes | 44 (34.6) | 32 (28.1) | 12 (92.3) | |
| Taller than wide | <0.0001a | |||
| No | 91 (71.7) | 89 (78.1) | 2 (15.4) | |
| Yes | 36 (28.3) | 25 (21.9) | 11 (84.6) | |
| High vascularity | 0.052b | |||
| No | 61 (48.0) | 58 (50.9) | 3 (23.1) | |
| Yes | 66 (52.0) | 56 (49.1) | 10 (76.9) | |
| Fast growth | <0.0001a | |||
| No | 91 (71.7) | 89 (78.1) | 2 (15.4) | |
| Yes | 36 (28.3) | 25 (21.9) | 11 (84.6) | |
| Macrocalcification | 0.555 | |||
| No | 74 (58.3) | 65 (57.0) | 9 (69.2) | |
| Yes | 53 (41.7) | 49 (43.0) | 4 (30.8) |
Notes:
a
Statistically significant at p<0.05;
b
tendency toward statistical significance at 0.05<p<0.1. Descriptive data are presented as number (%).
Abbreviation: TN, thyroid nodule.