Quality improvement initiative to standardise thyroid ultrasound reports and reduce unnecessary fine-needle aspiration biopsies of thyroid nodules

[摘要] Thyroid nodules are extremely common1 2;however, most nodules are benign, and evenmalignant nodules typically follow an indolent course.3 4 With the advancement inultrasonography and diagnostic techniques,thyroid nodules are biopsied more frequently,and the incidence of thyroid cancer has markedly increased.5 However, mortality fromthyroid cancer has remained relatively stable,6suggesting an increasing trend towards overinvestigation.5The American College of Radiologypublished the Thyroid Imaging Reportingand Data System (TI-RADS) in 2017 thataimed to reduce unnecessary investigationsof thyroid nodules based on findings onultrasounds.7 Several studies have shownthat, when compared with other risk stratification systems, the TI-RADS guidelines ledto a reduction in unnecessary fine-needleaspiration (FNA) biopsies while ensuringmost malignant nodules were either biopsiedor monitored.8–11 The purpose of this studywas to implement TI-RADS guidelines in atertiary care radiology department with theaim to reduce unnecessary FNAs.

[学科分类] 药学

[关键词] quality improvement;standards of care;unnecessary procedures