Drivers of Thyroid Ultrasound Use: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors' conclusion
Incidental findings on imaging, symptoms, and routine physical exam findings in asymptomatic patients were the most prevalent drivers of TUS. Furthermore, 1 in 10 TUS were likely inappropriately ordered based on current practice guidelines.
Study context
- Population
- Adults who underwent an initial thyroid US (thyroid ultrasound (TUS)) between 2015 and 2017 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; mean age 53.6 years, 63.8% female, 86.6% white
- Participants
- 500 adults
- Outcome
- Drivers of TUS orders
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Incidental findings on unrelated imaging
- 31.6%
- Thyroid symptoms
- 20.4%
- Thyroid abnormalities on routine physical examination
- 17.2%
- Thyroid dysfunction workup
- 11.8%
- TUS likely ordered inappropriately based on current guidelines
- 11.2% (56/500)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Most common reason by sex: incidental findings on imaging
- Female
- 91/319, 28.5%
- Male
- 67/181, 37.0%
Main reason by practice
- Primary care: symptoms
- 71/218, 32.5%
- Endocrinology: thyroid dysfunction workup
- 28/100, 28.0%
Thyroid biopsy and thyroid cancer · up to 12 months after TUS
- Thyroid biopsy
- 119/500, 23.8%
- Thyroid cancer among biopsied
- 14/119. 11.8%
Original publication
Drivers of Thyroid Ultrasound Use: A Retrospective Observational Study. Endocr Pract. Published 16 September 2023. doi:10.
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