Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41467911›Full record

ReviewHNO2026

[Ultrasound in secondary prevention of thyroid nodules-evidence, benefits, and limitations].

Felix Werner, Susann Hueber, Sarina Katrin Müller, Matti Sievert

Abstract readEnglish AbstractReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in HNO, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

4 authors.

Felix WernerAllgemeinmedizinisches Institut, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Deutschland.
Susann HueberAllgemeinmedizinisches Institut, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Deutschland.
Sarina Katrin MüllerHals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstrasse 1, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland.
Matti SievertHals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstrasse 1, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland. matti.sievert@uk-erlangen.de.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThyroid nodules are common incidental findings in ultrasound examinations. Early detection by ultrasound does not seem to have any patient-relevant benefits in terms of secondary prevention.

objectiveThe current article provides an overview of international evidence for the benefits and harms of ultrasound in the secondary prevention of thyroid nodules.

methodsA narrative review (PubMed search; 2010-2025) of guidelines (American Thyroid Association, ATA; American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, AACE/American College of Endocrinology, ACE; European Thyroid Association, ETA; United States Preventive Services Task Force, USPSTF; National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NICE; German-language S3 guidelines), population-based studies (SHIP, KORA, SEER), and systematic reviews and meta-analyses was performed.

resultsThe prevalence of thyroid nodules is high, but the proportion of clinically relevant or malignant findings is very low. Mortality from thyroid cancer is also low. Screening asymptomatic adults with ultrasound increases the incidence of mostly indolent papillary carcinomas without any reduction in mortality. The risk of overdiagnosis and subsequent overtreatment is substantial. Thus, international and national guidelines do not recommend screening for early detection of thyroid cancer. Standardized ultrasound risk classifications (e.g., European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System, EU-TIRADS/American College of Radiology TIRADS, ACR TIRADS) are essential for targeted evaluation in cases of clinically suspected thyroid cancer.

conclusionScreening asymptomatic individuals using ultrasound is not recommended. The rate of overdiagnosis is high, and the benefits in terms of reducing morbidity or mortality have not been proven.

Indexed as

Early Detection of CancerSecondary PreventionThyroid NeoplasmsThyroid NoduleEvidence-Based MedicineHumansPractice Guidelines as TopicUltrasonographyClinical decision-makingIncidental findingsOverdiagnosisScreeningThyroid gland

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.