• Elchanan Zloczower, Ofir Atas, Daniel London, Limor Elharar, Maayan Jacobe-Levy, and Tal Marom.
• Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Tel Hashomer, 5262000, Israel.
• Mil Med. 2020 Dec 30; 185 (11-12): 2020-2025.

IntroductionThyroid nodules are common in young adults. We sought to compare the sonographic characteristics (thyroid imaging reporting and data system [Ti-RADS] classification) with the reported cytological results (Bethesda categories) from thyroid nodules in young recruits and examine the efficiency of our unique multidisciplinary clinic.Materials And MethodsIn this retrospective cohort, we identified young recruits (18-25 years) who underwent needle biopsies for asymptomatic thyroid nodule(s), with cytology reports of Bethesda categories II-V, performed in our "Rapid Diagnostic Service" at a large Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps healthcare facility, between 2013 and 2018. We studied the concordance rates between their Ti-RADS and Bethesda grades, and the preoperative Bethesda grades accuracy versus final pathology results, and the time period needed for their thyroid nodules workup.ResultsA total of 81 patients were included who contributed 91 nodules. A fair agreement was found between the Ti-RADS classifications and the Bethesda grades (Cohen's κ = 0.238) that was more noticeable in males than in females. The agreement rate was 87.5% in males (21 of 24), but only 77.6% in females (59 of 67) [P = .029]. Of the 5 operated benign cases, all had low Ti-RADS, and 2 had low Bethesda. Of the 8 operated malignant cases, 6 had high Ti-RADS, and 5 had high Bethesda. On average, 37.64 days elapsed between the first visit to the ultrasound study, and 24.2 days elapsed until biopsy was performed.ConclusionsDespite an overall fair agreement between the sonographic features and cytological findings in young adults, we recommend a more aggressive approach and repeated biopsies despite reported benign pathology, because of a high false-negative rate.© The Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

10 keywords...

hide…