2021 ASM / R-0371
Interobserver Variability in Assessing Thyroid Nodules Using ACR TI-RADS
Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Head and neck, Thyroid / Parathyroids, Ultrasound, Diagnostic procedure, Endocrine disorders
Authors:
V. Whitaker; Gosford, NSW/AU
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2021/R-0371
Background
- Thyroid nodules are a common incidental finding, with mostly benign aetiology
- Multiple risk stratification systems have been created – the most recent being ACR TI-RADS
- Nodules are assessed against five categories: composition, echogenicity, shape, margins and echogenic foci[1]
- Cumulation of points in each category results in a TI-RADS level, where management suggestion is based on size
- Poor reproducibility may lead to poorer sensitivity and specificity and cause confusion for referrers, misinterpreting change in TI-RADS score on progress studies as disease progression, rather than change attributable to interobserver variation