Bondin, Daniela1; Morar, Pradeep
2; Belloso, Antonio
2
1 St7 Otorhinolaryngologist, East Lancashire Health Trust, UK
2 Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist, East Lancashire Health Trust, UK
Background: The 2014 BAETS guidelines for assessment of thyroid nodules introduced the use of U classification in combination with the Thy classification to increase the positive predictive pre-operative value for detection of thyroid cancer. This aim of the project was to assess the impact of these recommendations in the management of thyroid nodules.
Methods: This was a retrospective evaluation of patients referred to the neck lump at East Lancashire Health Trust between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2015.
Results: Total Number of referrals was 116 patients. Males: 17: Females: 99. The mean age: 49.5 (Variation between15 – 86)
U Classification
The total number of reported USS performed was : 91/115 (79%). 73.75% of all USS performed by the dedicated radiologist were reported using the U classification.
61% of U2 patients were discharged with no FNA or further surgical intervention.
| U CLASSIFICATION |
Total Number |
% Of malignancy |
| U2 |
61 |
3.3% |
| U3 |
26 |
19% |
| U4 |
2 |
100% |
| U5 |
2 |
100% |
Discussion / Conclusion: The use of the U classification and its role in adequately diagnosing thyroid cancer is still currently under review. There is a recognised learning curve for this classification to be utilised in practice and its difficult to ascertain whether discharging patients on the basis of using the U classification alone for U2 nodules is safe.
References:
- Perros P, Colley S, Boelaert K, Evans C, Evans RM, Gerrard GE, Gilbert JA et al. Guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer. Clinical Endocrinology July 2014;81(s1).
