Table 3 Diagnostic value of sonographic features in predicting malignancy for the thyroid nodules with microcalcification
Ultrasound features | Sensitivity (%, 95% CI) | Specificity (%, 95% CI) | Positive predictive value (%, 95% CI) | Negative predictive value (%, 95% CI) | Accuracy (%, 95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Irregular margin | 6.9 (2.8–13.6) | 64.7 (46.5–82.3) | 36.8 (20–57.7) | 18.8 (15.2–23) | 21.3 (14.8–29.2) |
Lobulated margin | 9.8 (4.8–17.3) | 70.6 (52.5–84.9) | 50 (31.3–68.7) | 20.7 (17.2–24.7) | 25 (18–33.1) |
Hypoechogenicity | 61.8 (43.6–77.8) | 58.8 (48.6–68.5) | 33.3 (26–41.6) | 82.2 (74.5–87.9) | 59.6 (50.8–67.9) |
>5 microcalcification number | 44.1 (27.2–62.1) | 79.4 (70.3–86.8) | 41.7 (29.5–55) | 81 (75.7–85.4) | 70.6 (62.2–78.1) |