The Future of Thyroid Nodule Risk Stratification

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2022 Jun;51(2):305-321. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2021.12.002. Epub 2022 May 4.

Abstract

Clinical evidence supports the association of ultrasound features with benign or malignant thyroid nodules and serves as the basis for sonographic stratification of thyroid nodules, according to an estimated thyroid cancer risk. Contemporary guidelines recommend management strategies according to thyroid cancer risk, thyroid nodule size, and the clinical scenario. Yet, reproducible and accurate thyroid nodule risk stratification requires expertise, time, and understanding of the weight different ultrasound features have on thyroid cancer risk. The application of artificial intelligence to overcome these limitations is promising and has the potential to improve the care of patients with thyroid nodules.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Risk stratification; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid nodules.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Thyroid Nodule* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Nodule* / therapy