Keywords:
Head and neck, Thyroid / Parathyroids, Ultrasound, Structured reporting, Quality assurance
Authors:
M. Cossens, C. Dunn, J. Gillespie; QLD/AU
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2019/R-0119
Methods and materials
200 thyroid ultrasound reports were retrospectively analysed from PACS. 100 pre and 100 post the implementation of a structured TIRADS reporting template used by sonographers and by the reporting radiologist or registrar. Radiologists and sonographers involved in imaging and reporting thyroid ultrasounds were given educational sessions on TIRADS and how to use the structured templates.
Reports were excluded if prior biopsy or surgery for benign or malignant disease had been performed. Thyroid ultrasound studies were reported by both radiologists and radiology registrars.
Thyroid ultrasound reports were analysed to determine the maximum size, features in the ACR TIRADS five feature categories (composition, echogenicity, shape, margin, echogenic foci) and management recommendations (biopsy, follow up ultrasound, no further management, management not specified) for the most suspicious nodule mentioned in each report.
Information was also collected on FNA result, reason for ultrasound request, requesting department within the hospital.