Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39107503›Full record

Observational studyJournal of cancer research and clinical oncology2024

Predictive value of the single most suspicious ultrasound feature in subcentimeter thyroid nodules: a retrospective observational cohort study.

Peiying Huang, Lili Han, Xiulin Shi, Fangsen Xiao, Qingbao Shen, Xuejun Li, Fuxing Zhang

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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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

7 authors.

Peiying Huang *Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Lili Han *Department of Endocrinology, Fuzhou First General Hospital Affiliated with Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
Xiulin ShiDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Fangsen XiaoDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Qingbao ShenDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Xuejun LiDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China. lixuejun@xmu.edu.cn.
Fuxing ZhangThe School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China. fuxingzhangxm@yeah.net.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of Xiamen, China 3502Z20227336
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeProper management of subcentimeter thyroid nodules remains challenging for both clinicians and patients. Conducting extensive sonographic research using a safe and inexpensive tool for identifying thyroid nodules is necessary. The aim of this study was to identify whether having the highest-risk ultrasound (US) characteristic suggests that US-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of subcentimeter nodules is more appropriate for the identification of malignancy than active surveillance (AS) or surgery.

methodsThe data of patients with highly suspicious subcentimeter thyroid nodules and US characteristic data who underwent surgery were retrospectively examined.

resultsAmong a total of 556 subcentimeter nodules, 223 (40.1%) were benign, and 333 (59.9%) were malignant, with a mean maximal nodule size of 8.1 mm. In addition to age younger than 45 years, several US features were significantly associated with malignancy: irregular margins, the presence of microcalcifications, and taller-than-wide shapes (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis also revealed that a taller-than-wide shape (OR = 8.988, P = 0.0015) was an independent factor associated with malignancy in subcentimeter thyroid nodules. The diagnostic performance of preoperative FNA was classified as a malignancy, with a sensitivity of 98.4%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 76.9%.

conclusionsThis is one of the few reports based on actual data of the most suspicious US features in subcentimeter thyroid nodules. A taller-than-wide shape US feature is most significantly associated with malignancy. FNA is a simple, accurate, and reliable preoperative method for diagnosing malignant subcentimeter thyroid nodules with highly suspicious US characteristics. AS was less appropriate than FNA for subcentimeter nodules with a taller-than-wide shape, especially in patients ≤ 45 years of age.

Indexed as

Predictive Value of TestsThyroid NoduleUltrasonographyAdultAgedBiopsy, Fine-NeedleFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesThyroid NeoplasmsYoung AdultThyroid cancerThyroid noduleUltrasound

Identifiers

PMID39107503
PMCPMC11303461

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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.