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Thyroid ultrasonography reporting: consensus of Italian Thyroid Association (AIT), Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE), Italian Society of Ultrasonography in Medicine and Biology (SIUMB) and Ultrasound Chapter of Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM)

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Abstract

Thyroid ultrasonography (US) is the gold standard for thyroid imaging and its widespread use is due to an optimal spatial resolution for superficial anatomic structures, a low cost and the lack of health risks. Thyroid US is a pivotal tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of autoimmune thyroid diseases, for assessing nodule size and echostructure and defining the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules. The main limitation of US is the poor reproducibility, due to the variable experience of the operators and the different performance and settings of the equipments. Aim of this consensus statement is to standardize the report of thyroid US through the definition of common minimum requirements and a correct terminology. US patterns of autoimmune thyroid diseases are defined. US signs of malignancy in thyroid nodules are classified and scored in each nodule. We also propose a simplified nodule risk stratification, based on the predictive value of each US sign, classified and scored according to the strength of association with malignancy, but also to the estimated reproducibility among different operators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrinology Unit, Dept. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa, 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    T. Rago & P. Vitti

  2. Dept. of Radiological Science, Policlinico Umberto I, University Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy

    V. Cantisani

  3. Endocrinology Unit, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Rome, 00168, Italy

    F. Ianni & A. Pontecorvi

  4. Internal Medicine and Endocrinology Unit - ICS Maugeri, IRCCS, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri, 4, Pavia, 27100, Italy

    L. Chiovato

  5. Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism Unit, Dept. Medical Science, University of Torino, Via Magellano, 1, Turin, 10128, Italy

    R. Garberoglio

  6. Dept. of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy

    C. Durante

  7. Endocrinology Unit, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, IRCCS, Viale Risorgimento, 80, Reggio Emilia, 42123, Italy

    A. Frasoldati

  8. Endocrine Surgery, Ospedale del Mare, Via Enrico Russo, Naples, 80147, Italy

    S. Spiezia

  9. Dept. of Advanced Biomedical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I, 40, Naples, 80128, Italy

    R. Farina & G. Vallone

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  1. T. Rago
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Rago, T., Cantisani, V., Ianni, F. et al. Thyroid ultrasonography reporting: consensus of Italian Thyroid Association (AIT), Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE), Italian Society of Ultrasonography in Medicine and Biology (SIUMB) and Ultrasound Chapter of Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM). J Endocrinol Invest 41, 1435–1443 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-018-0935-8

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