Table 5 Association between sonographic features and cytology results of the thyroid nodules ≤ 10 mm
Sonographic features | Benign nodules (n, [%]) | Malignant nodules (n, [%]) | Odds ratio (95% confidence interval) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nodule size (mm) | ||||
≤ 5 | 54 (85.7) | 9 (14.3) | 1 | |
> 5 | 196 (87.5) | 28 (12.5) | 0.94 (0.35–2.51) | 0.894 |
Echogenic foci | ||||
Negative | 197 (93.8) | 13 (6.2) | 1 | |
Punctate echogenic foci | 22 (52.4) | 20 (47.6) | 6.46 (2.37–17.43) | < 0.001 |
Coarse echogenic foci | 17 (94.4) | 1 (5.6) | 0.71 (0.07–6.69) | 0.772 |
Fine + coarse echogenic foci | 2 (66.7) | 1 (33.3) | 5.08 (0.19–135.6) | 0.332 |
Peripheral echogenic foci | 12 (85.7) | 2 (14.3) | 2.37 (0.42–13.46) | 0.328 |
Margin of nodule | ||||
Regular | 209 (93.3) | 15 (6.7) | 1 | |
Ill-defined | 38 (67.9) | 18 (32.1) | 4.38 (1.72–11.15) | 0.002 |
Irregular | 3 (42.9) | 4 (57.1) | 7.33 (1.01–33.05) | 0.049 |
Echogenicity | ||||
Hyperechogenicity | 165 (95.4) | 8 (4.6) | 1 | |
Isoechogenicity | 49 (89.1) | 6 (10.9) | 1.19 (0.32–4.41) | 0.791 |
Hypoechogenicity | 36 (61.0) | 23 (39.0) | 6.39 (2.26–18.07) | < 0.001 |
Composition | ||||
Solid-cyst | 31 (93.9) | 2 (6.1) | 1 | |
Solid | 219 (86.2) | 35 (13.8) | 0.89 (0.17–4.64) | 0.897 |
Shape | ||||
Wider-than-tall | 245 (89.7) | 28 (10.3) | 1 | |
Taller-than-wide | 5 (35.7) | 9 (64.3) | 0.73 (0.15–3.39) | 0.692 |