Original Articles
Clinicopathological Features of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Single-center Cross-sectional Study
Rebaz M. Ali, Abdulwahid M. Salih, Hiwa O. Abdullah, Ari M. Abdullah, Rawa M. Ali, Aras J. Qaradakhy, Rebaz O. Mohammed, Rezheen J. Rashid and 4 more
IntroductionDue to indeterminate cytology, Bethesda III is the most controversial category within the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. This study examines the characteristics and malignancy rates of thyroid nodules (TNs) classified as Bethesda III.
MethodsData were collected by reviewing electronic medical records, encompassing demographic details, medical history, chief complaint, laboratory tests (including thyroid function tests), preoperative imaging, cytology results, management, and histopathology diagnosis.
ResultsThe majority of the cases were female (84.7%). Patients’ ages ranged from 15 to 71 years, with a mean of 42.9 ± 10.5 years. Regarding goiter grading, 37 cases (21.8%) were classified as G0, 62 (36.5%) as G1, 55 (32.3%) as G2, and seven (4.1%) as G3. Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems scoring categorized the nodules as TI-RADS 2 (5.3%), TI-RADS 3 (40%), TI-RADS 4 (38.2%) and TI-RADS 5 (9.4%). The size of TNs on ultrasound ranged from 0.3 cm to 7.8 cm, with a mean size of 2.06 ± 1.3 cm. Adenoma was the most common diagnosis (40%), followed by thyroiditis (16.5%), papillary thyroid carcinoma (15.9%), and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (15.9%). The nodules were predominantly benign (64.7%), while 35.3% were malignant. Patients with malignant nodules were younger than those with benign nodules (p=0.044). Benign nodules were significantly larger than malignant ones (p-value = 0.003).
ConclusionOne of three TNs with indeterminate cytology may be malignant. Patients with malignant nodules tend to be younger than those with benign nodules, and benign nodules are likely larger than malignant ones.
Keywords Thyroid nodule
· Thyroid carcinoma
· Goiter
· Fine needle aspiration
· Bethesda III
All subjects
