Ultrasound Elastography And TI Rads (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System) In The Diagnostic Evaluation of Thyroid Nodules

Abstract

Thyroid nodules refers to an abnormal growth of thyroid cells that forms a lump within the thyroid gland. Although the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign (non cancerous), a small percent is presenting as a thyroid cancer. High resolution Thyroid ultrasound (US) is a key examination for the management of thyroid nodules. Thyroid US is easily accessible, non invasive, and cost-effective, and is a mandatory step in the workup of thyroid nodules. The main limitation of this method is that it is operator dependent. Depending on the experience and skills of the examiner. Thyroid US assessment of the risk of malignancy is crucial in patients with nodules, in order to select those who should have a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy performed. In 2017, the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) Committee of the American College of Radiology (ACR) published a" white paper" that presented a new risk-stratification system for classifying thyroid nodules on the basis of their appearance at ultrasonography (US). In ACR TI-RADS, points in five feature categories are summed to determine a risk level from TR1 to TR5. Recommendations for biopsy or US follow-up are based on the nodule’s ACR TI-RADS level and its maximum diameter . The correct interpretation of thyroid ultrasound report using the TI-RADS criteria helps to facilitate the identification