Completeness of ultrasound reporting impacts time to biopsy for benign and malignant thyroid nodules

BackgroundThe objective was to evaluate reporting of guideline-recommended elements for thyroid ultrasound (US), and to determine whether element reporting was associated with the time to cytological and/or surgical diagnosis.MethodsUS reports of adults who underwent thyroid surgery for benign (n = 106) or malignant (n = 105) thyroid nodules between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed for inclusion of 11 elements.ResultsOn average 5.1 elements of 11 (46.4%) were included in US reports of all nodules. The setting of the US (academic versus community center) also influenced the number of elements reported (6.3 in academic versus 4.9 in community, p < 0.001). A higher number of reported elements were significantly associated with fewer days between US and FNAB, FNAB and OR, and US and OR (p < 0.001, p = 0.007, and p < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsUnder-reporting of guideline-recommended US elements is associated with delayed cytological diagnosis and surgical treatment of thyroid nodules.