Analysis of Causes of Misdiagnosis in Thyroid Nodules by Ultrasonographic Diagnosis

The Objective is to analyze the causes of misdiagnosis in thyroid nodules during ultrasonographic diagnosis. Thirty cases of thyroid nodules, initially diagnosed by ultrasonography but subsequently confirmed as misdiagnosed by postoperative pathology between January 2024 and December 2024, were included. Ultrasonographic features, pathological findings, and clinical information were analyzed to classify types of misdiagnosis and summarize the underlying causes. Among the 30 misdiagnosed cases, 15 (50%) were benign nodules misdiagnosed as malignant, with adenomas being the most frequently misdiagnosed as papillary carcinoma (8 cases). Ten cases (33.3%) were malignant nodules misdiagnosed as benign, predominantly involving missed diagnoses of micropapillary carcinoma (6 cases). Three cases (10%) involved misjudgment of nodule nature, and 2 cases (6.7%) were missed diagnoses of multiple nodules. The primary underlying causes of misdiagnosis included atypical ultrasonographic features, inadequate equipment resolution, insufficient operator expertise, and poor integration of clinical information. Misdiagnosis of thyroid nodules in ultrasonographic diagnosis is associated with the complex characteristics of nodules, technical limitations, and operators’ subjective judgment. Improving diagnostic accuracy requires the application of high-resolution ultrasound technology, enhanced operator training, integration of multidisciplinary clinical information, and dynamic follow-up of suspicious nodules.