Challenges in Risk Stratification of Solid Atypical Mixed Echogenicity Thyroid Nodules

Abstract

Background: To determine the prevalence and risk of malignancy (ROM) in solid atypical mixed echogenicity thyroid nodules (SAMENs) with sonographic patterns not classifiable by the 2015 American Thyroid Association Ultrasound Risk Stratification System (NC ATA). Methods: We searched our prospectively collected endocrine surgery thyroid nodule (TN) database, with particular attention to those solid nodules that were NC ATA. An algorithm assigned each into one of the five ATA risk groups per the 2015 American Thyroid Association Ultrasound Risk Stratification System (ATA USRSS). TNs that the algorithm could not assign to a risk group were deemed NC ATA and were subsequently analyzed. Additionally, we categorized this group using an algorithm based on the 2017 American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR-TIRADS). We were specifically interested in the characteristics that resulted in non-classification by the 2015 ATA USRSS and the fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cytology and surgical pathology results from the group. Results: We evaluated data from 5,040 nodules, of which 1,772 had surgical pathology. There were 150 solid nodules not classified by 2015 ATA USRSS, all of which demonstrated atypical features along with iso-, hetero-, hyper- and mixed echogenicity (solid atypical mixed echogenicity nodules- SAMENs). Sixty of these nodules were excised and sent for surgical pathology, while 90 were followed without surgical excision. Out of the 90 that did not undergo surgery, 82 underwent FNAB with cytologic evaluation. Of our 150 SAMENs, 40 were malignant by surgical histology and six were likely malignant by cytology (total SAMEN ROM without noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features 31%). The most common sonographic pattern present in our SAMEN group consisted of an isoechoic solid component with microcalcifications (28/40–70% of all excised malignant nodules). In our excised malignant SAMENs, 50% demonstrated follicular-patterned neoplastic architecture while 48% displayed papillary architecture. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that SAMENs with at least one suspicious sonographic feature: including (1) microcalcifications; (2) irregular or other suspicious margins,;opulation, and a higher ROM (31%) than the intermediate-risk group of the 2015 ATA USRSS (10–20%).