BACKGROUND/AIM: Previous studies have shown that there may be a diversity in the ultrasonographic (US) features discriminating a malignant from a benign thyroid nodule. We determined the reliability of the specific nodule shape in combination with other US features in predicting thyroid carcinomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective single-center study investigating the association of the morphological characteristics of nodular goiters from preoperative US and color Doppler images with malignancy based on pathology.

RESULTS

We evaluated 254 thyroid nodules (malignant, n=131) from 205 patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that taller-than-wide shape [odds ratio (OR)=25.3, 95% confidence interval (CI)=5.4-118.9; p<0.001], microcalcifications (OR=4.9, 95% CI=2.5-9.5; p<0.001), hypoechogenicity (OR=4.5; 95% CI=2-10.3; p<0.001) and size (OR=0.93; 95% CI=0.89-0.98; p=0.002) were independently associated with thyroid nodule malignancy. Additionally, we found a strong negative correlation between size and taller-than-wide shape of a thyroid nodule (r=-0.41, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Among the important indicators of thyroid malignancy, taller-than-wide nodules with microcalcifications are most likely to be malignant.