EVALUATING TI-RADS CRITERIA AND ULTRASONIC ELASTOGRAPHY FOR DIFFERENTIATING BENIGN FROM MALIGNANT THYROID TUMORS IN ATHLETES

Abstract

Objective: To assess the combined effectiveness of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and ultrasound elastography in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid tumors in athletes. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2021, 350 athletes with thyroid nodules treated at our institution were randomly divided into a control group (n=175), diagnosed using only ultrasound elastography, and a study group (n=175), diagnosed with both TI-RADS criteria and ultrasound elastography. We compared the diagnostic accuracy, nodule diameter, and overall diagnostic value between the two groups. Results: The study group, using combined diagnostic methods, identified 231 nodules, comprising 105 benign and 126 malignant nodules. In contrast, the control group detected 245 nodules, including 115 benign, 130 malignant, and 9 cases with missed diagnoses. The maximum diameters of both benign and malignant nodules were significantly larger in the study group (P<0.05). Diagnostic accuracy was quantified using the area under the curve (AUC): ultrasound elastography alone had an AUC of 0.845, while the combined TI-RADS and ultrasound elastography approach had an AUC of 0.913, indicating superior diagnostic performance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Combining TI-RADS criteria with ultrasound elastography enhances diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid nodules in athletes. This approach not only improves detection rates but also minimizes the occurrence of diagnostic oversights, crucial for appropriate and timely therapeutic interventions in this specialized population.