Assessment of Pediatric Thyroid Nodule Sonographic Features Applying the ACR TIRADS

FNA is the recommended clinical approach in the conclusive diagnosis of thyroid nodules. ACR TIRADS assess the various criteria considered before performing the FNA/biopsy of any thyroid nodule. Even though these parameters are validated for adult patients, their use in pediatrics has not been well studied. This research looked in the accuracy of ACR TIRADS in pediatric cases. A retrospective study was done including children who presented with thyroid nodules. Participants were chosen if they were ≤ 14 years and had ultrasound imaging findings of thyroid nodules. Patients were excluded if they had an incidental thyroid nodule detected by other modalities with lack of baseline ultrasound scan, diffuse thyroid disease with no dominant nodule as seen in thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, diffuse heterogeneity, thyroidectomy, and infection/abscess/ phlegmon. 50 thyroid nodules were studied and half were malignant. The ACR TIRADS sensitivity was calculated as 95.8%. Size was also studied to consider its effect on malignancy risk. The research’s findings suggested that ACR TIRADS demonstrates good accuracy level for use in pediatric cases; however, size plays no significant role in the determination of malignancy risk of children’s thyroid nodules.