Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33815282›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in endocrinology2021

Diagnostic Value of Sonographic Features in Distinguishing Malignant Partially Cystic Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Xinlong Shi, Ruifeng Liu, Luying Gao, Yu Xia, Yuxin Jiang

Open access · goldAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.5field-weighted citation impact, top 18% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 18 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Xinlong ShiDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
Ruifeng LiuDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
Luying GaoDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
Yu XiaDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
Yuxin JiangDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College · CNPeking Union Medical College Hospital · CN

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Ultrasonography (US) is one of the most important methods for the management of thyroid nodules, which can be classified as solid, partially cystic, or cystic by composition. The various Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System classifications pay more attention to solid nodules and have reported pertinent US features associated with malignancy. However, the likelihood of malignancy of partially cystic thyroid nodules (PCTNs) is 3.3-17.6%, and few studies have systematically discussed the value of US in differentiating such entities. Therefore, we deemed it necessary to perform a systematic evaluation of US features in recognizing malignant PCTNs. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the value of US features in predicting malignant PCTNs. We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to find studies that researched US features of PCTNs and that were published before June 2020. Review Manager 5.3 was used to summarize suspicious US features and calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios. MetaDiSc 1.4 was used to estimate receiver operating characteristic curves and calculate areas under the curves (AUCs). Our review included eight studies with a total of 2,004 PCTNs. Seven features were considered to be associated with malignancy. High specificity (>0.9) was found in nodules with a taller-than-wide shape, those that were spiculated/microlobulated or with an ill-defined margin, those with microcalcification, and a non-smooth rim. Among US features, eccentric configuration, microcalcification, and marked or mild hypoechogenicity were more reliable in predicting malignancy (AUC: 0.9592, 0.8504, and 0.8092, respectively). After meta-analysis, we recommend combining PCTN US features including an eccentric internal solid portion, marked or mild hypoechogenicity, and presence of microcalcification to better identify malignant nodules. More studies are needed to explore and improve the diagnostic value of US in PCTNs.

Indexed as

Diagnosis, DifferentialHumansThyroid GlandThyroid NeoplasmsThyroid NoduleUltrasonographydiagnostic valuesmeta-analysispartially cystic thyroid nodulessonographic featuresthyroid carcinoma

Identifiers

PMID33815282
PMCPMC8018235
OpenAlexW3136580905

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.