TY - JOUR
T1 - Observer variability in the sonographic evaluation of thyroid nodules
AU - Park, Chang Suk
AU - Kim, Sung Hun
AU - Jung, So Lyung
AU - Kang, Bong Joo
AU - Kim, Jee Young
AU - Choi, Jae Jung
AU - Sung, Mi Suk
AU - Yim, Hyeon Woo
AU - Jeong, Seung Hee
PY - 2010/7
Y1 - 2010/7
N2 - Objective. Inter- and intraobserver variabilities in the description and diagnostic categorization of sonographic (US) features of thyroid nodules were evaluated. Methods. The current study was conducted on 72 malignant nodules and 61 benign nodules. The US findings for each thyroid nodule were analyzed twice at a 6-week interval by five radiologists. The analyses were in accordance with the guidelines proposed by the Thyroid Study Group of the Korean Society of Neuroradiology and Head and Neck Radiology (TSGKSNRHNR). Inter- and intraobserver variabilities were calculated using Cohen's kappa statistics. The sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value, and negative-predictive value in the assessment of the diagnostic accuracy using these guidelines were calculated. Result. The interobserver agreement was fair to substantial for US features and categorization. Of the US features of the thyroid nodules, internal content (solid versus cystic) showed substantial agreement (k = 0.64). There was moderate agreement with regard to shape, echogenicity, calcification, and diagnostic categories (k = 0.42, 0.57, 0.55, and 0.55, respectively). There was fair agreement for margin, echotexture, and capsule invasion (k = 0.34, 0.26, and 0.32, respectively). With regard to intraobserver agreement, there was moderate to substantial agreement for all US features except for echotexture and capsule invasion, which showed fair agreement. In particular, there was moderate to almost perfect agreement for the diagnostic category. The sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value, and negative-predictive value were 65.3%-81.9%, 60.7%- 68.9%, 69.7%-73.8%, and 66.6%-75.5%, respectively. Conclusion. There were high degrees of inter- and intraobserver agreement using the ''Guidelines for diagnostic thyroid ultrasonography,'' of the TSGKSNRHNR in the description and categorization of thyroid nodules.
AB - Objective. Inter- and intraobserver variabilities in the description and diagnostic categorization of sonographic (US) features of thyroid nodules were evaluated. Methods. The current study was conducted on 72 malignant nodules and 61 benign nodules. The US findings for each thyroid nodule were analyzed twice at a 6-week interval by five radiologists. The analyses were in accordance with the guidelines proposed by the Thyroid Study Group of the Korean Society of Neuroradiology and Head and Neck Radiology (TSGKSNRHNR). Inter- and intraobserver variabilities were calculated using Cohen's kappa statistics. The sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value, and negative-predictive value in the assessment of the diagnostic accuracy using these guidelines were calculated. Result. The interobserver agreement was fair to substantial for US features and categorization. Of the US features of the thyroid nodules, internal content (solid versus cystic) showed substantial agreement (k = 0.64). There was moderate agreement with regard to shape, echogenicity, calcification, and diagnostic categories (k = 0.42, 0.57, 0.55, and 0.55, respectively). There was fair agreement for margin, echotexture, and capsule invasion (k = 0.34, 0.26, and 0.32, respectively). With regard to intraobserver agreement, there was moderate to substantial agreement for all US features except for echotexture and capsule invasion, which showed fair agreement. In particular, there was moderate to almost perfect agreement for the diagnostic category. The sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value, and negative-predictive value were 65.3%-81.9%, 60.7%- 68.9%, 69.7%-73.8%, and 66.6%-75.5%, respectively. Conclusion. There were high degrees of inter- and intraobserver agreement using the ''Guidelines for diagnostic thyroid ultrasonography,'' of the TSGKSNRHNR in the description and categorization of thyroid nodules.
KW - Observer variability
KW - Thyroid nodule
KW - Ultrasonography
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77953454525&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/jcu.20689
DO - 10.1002/jcu.20689
M3 - Article
C2 - 20544863
AN - SCOPUS:77953454525
SN - 0091-2751
VL - 38
SP - 287
EP - 293
JO - Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
JF - Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
IS - 6
ER -