%0 Journal Article
%T Thyroid Nodule: Alpha Score 2.0 Classification for FNAB Selection, Multicentric Study in Latin America
%A Glenn Mena
%A Maria Cristina Chammas
%A Carlos Mario Gonzalez Vasquez
%A Lylian Roc¨ªo Villag¨®mez
%A Marco Alfredo Mu£¿oz Pico
%A Patricio Alejandro Montalvo
%A Santiago Mena-Bucheli
%A Julio Olmedo
%A Elizabeth Quintero
%A Pedro Henrique de Marqui Moraes
%A Osmar Cassio Saito
%A Hubertino Diaz
%A Denise Romero
%A Gabriela Velalcazar
%A Angel Ram¨®n Sosa Fleitas
%A Yamil Oliver Quevedo Ontaneda
%A Victor Ricardo Chara
%J Open Journal of Radiology
%P 160-174
%@ 2164-3032
%D 2021
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojrad.2021.114015
%X <strong>Introduction:</strong> To perform a Latin-American multicentric study for the prediction of benign and malignant thyroid nodules using Alpha Score, and to compare it with ACR TIRADS<sup><span style=\"white-space:nowrap;\">&amp;#174;</span></sup> and Bethesda<sup><span style=\"white-space:nowrap;\">&amp;#174;</span></sup>. <strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> A prospective multicentric study in 10 radiological hospitals and institutions of Latin America was performed and 818 thyroid nodules were analyzed by ultrasound and classified by using both ACR TIRADS<sup><span style=\"white-space:nowrap;\">&amp;#174;</span></sup> and Alpha Score; fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed when needed and classified with Bethesda. The relationships between predictors were analyzed by using binary logistic regression, statistical significance was defined by a p-value of 0.05, with an error margin of 4% and 95% confidence intervals. <strong>Results:</strong> Alpha Score 2.0 establishes five types of malignant predictors: microcalcifications, irregular borders, taller-than-wide shape, predominant solid texture and hypoechogenicity; a diameter equal to or greater than 1.5 cm adds an extra point to the final score. Resulting classification divides TNs into 4 categories: benign (1.9%), low suspicion (8.7%), mild suspicion (13.6%) and high suspicion (75.7%) of malignancy probability; sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 74%, the positive predictive value of 94%, the negative predictive value of 51%, the statistical accuracy of 81%, odds ratio of 108.89 and correlation with ACR TIRADS of 0.77 and Bethesda of 0.91.<strong> Conclusions: </strong>Alpha Score 2.0 has superior diagnostic accuracy and performance compared to the previously published Alpha Score and is able to classify a benign TN in a precise, safe and accurate way, avoiding unnecessary FNABs or determining the necessity of FNAB in cases of moderate to high suspicion of malignancy.
%K Thyroid Cancer-Clinical
%K Radiology-Imaging
%K Thyroid Nodule
%K Alpha Score
%K TIRADS&lt
%K sup&gt
%K &amp
%K #174
%K &lt
%K /sup&gt
%K Thyroid Ultrasonography
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=113741