SynthesisEndocrine pathology2026
Impact of Molecular Testing on Surgical Decision-Making in Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Global Meta-Analysis Across Test Generations.
Synthesis in Endocrine pathology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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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.
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1 citing paper in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
Thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology represent a clinical challenge owing to uncertain malignancy risk, often leading to diagnostic surgery. Molecular testing has emerged as a promising adjunct to improve risk stratification and guide surgical decision-making. However, the clinical utility and impact of different molecular platforms remain debated. The present study evaluates the impact of molecular testing on surgical decision-making in indeterminate thyroid nodules and compares outcomes between first- and second-generation molecular platforms. A PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis identified 132 studies including 66,448 thyroid nodules, of which 30,292 (45.6%) were indeterminate (Bethesda III/IV). Pooled analyses included studies directly comparing conventional management with molecular testing or different molecular platforms. Primary outcomes were surgical resection rates and risk of malignancy (ROM), stratified by diagnostic approach and test generation. Conventional management demonstrated significantly higher surgical rates than molecular testing group (OR = 2.258, 95% CI: 1.548-3.293, p < 0.001). ROM among resected nodules was lower in the conventional management compared with the molecular testing group (OR = 0.594, 95% CI: 0.388-0.911, p = 0.017). First-generation molecular tests showed higher surgical rates and lower ROM than second-generation assays (OR = 1.709, 95% CI: 1.122-2.601, p = 0.013; OR = 0.665, 95% CI: 0.515-0.858, p = 0.002, respectively). Exclusion of non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features attenuated differences in malignancy rates. Molecular testing significantly reduces surgical interventions in indeterminate thyroid nodules without evidence of reduced detection of clinically significant malignancy, particularly with second-generation platforms supporting more individualized and evidence-based management strategies.
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Registered trials
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