Table 3. Characteristic of nondiagnostic nodules confirmed by repeat FNA or surgery.
| Characteristics | Benign (n=18) | Malignant (n=19) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age ± SD, yr | 48.55±7.56 | 46.92±12.53 | 0.725 |
| Gender, n (%) | 0.693 | ||
| Male | 4 (22.2) | 3 (15.8) | |
| Female | 14 (77.8) | 16 (84.2) | |
| Nodule size, cm, n (%) | 0.746 | ||
| <1 | 8 (44.4) | 10 (52.6) | |
| ≥1 | 10 (55.6) | 9 (47.4) | |
| Operator, n (%) | 0.313 | ||
| Radiologist | 8 (44.4) | 5 (26.3) | |
| Surgeon | 10 (55.6) | 14 (73.7) | |
| Location, n (%) | 0.189 | ||
| Left | 6 (33.3) | 11 (57.9) | |
| Isthmus | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | |
| Right | 11 (61.1) | 8 (42.1) | |
| Position, n (%) | 0.126 | ||
| Upper third | 3 (16.7) | 9 (47.4) | |
| Middle third | 10 (55.6) | 7 (36.8) | |
| Lower third | 5 (27.8) | 3 (15.8) | |
| Echogenicity, n (%) | 0.447 | ||
| Hypoechoic | 13 (72.2) | 16 (84.2) | |
| Hyper/isoechoic/mixed | 5 (27.8) | 3 (15.8) | |
| Margin, n (%) | 1.000 | ||
| Regular | 2 (11.1) | 2 (10.5) | |
| Irregular | 16 (88.9) | 17 (89.5) | |
| Calcification, n (%) | 0.495 | ||
| Microcalcification | 11 (61.1) | 14 (73.7) | |
| Coarse/absent | 7 (38.9) | 5 (26.3) | |
| Vascularity, n (%) | 0.357 | ||
| Avascular | 8 (44.4) | 9 (47.4) | |
| Peripheric | 2 (11.1) | 5 (26.3) | |
| Central | 8 (44.4) | 5 (26.3) | |
| Shape, n (%) | 0.660 | ||
| Tall > wide | 15 (83.3) | 17 (89.5) | |
| Tall ≤ wide | 3 (16.7) | 2 (10.5) |
SD, standard deviation; FNA, fine needle aspiration.