Table 3.
Distribution of thyroid nodule ultrasound features by histopathological status/stable clinical and ultrasound follow-up
| Ultrasound features in ACR TI-RADS | Benign (n=100), n (%) | Malignant (n=5), n (%) | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echogenicity | |||
| Hyperechoic or isoechoic | 27 (27) | - | 0.000 |
| Hypoechoic | 35 (35) | 1 (20) | |
| Markedly hypoechoic | - | 4 (80) | |
| Anechoic | 38 (39) | - | |
| Composition | |||
| Solid or almost completely solid | 31 (31) | 100 (100) | 0.005 |
| Cystic or almost completely cystic | 37 (37) | - | |
| Spongiform | 27 (27) | - | |
| Mixed cystic or solid | 5 (5) | - | |
| Echogenic foci | |||
| None or large comet-tail artifacts | 13 (92.9) | - | 0.000 |
| Macrocalcifications | 1 (7.1) | 1 (20) | |
| Peripheral (rim) calcifications | - | - | |
| Punctate echogenic foci | - | 4 (80) | |
| Margin | |||
| Smooth | 83 (83) | 1 (20) | 0.000 |
| Ill-defined | 9 (9) | 2 (40) | |
| Lobulated or irregular | 2 (2) | - | |
| Extrathyroidal extension | - | 2 (40) | |
| Shape | |||
| Wider than tall | 65 (65) | 1 (20) | 0.002 |
| Taller than wide | 6 (6) | 3 (60) |
TI-RADS: Thyroid imaging reporting and data system, ACR: American College of Radiology