Document Type : Original research
Author
Department of Radiology, Al-Kindy College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
Abstract
Background: The detection of thyroid incidentalomas is on the rise due to high-resolution ultrasonography. This
study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid incidentaloma in a sample of the Iraqi population through the use of
high-resolution ultrasound and to define the TI-RADS classification system.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at AL Kindy Teaching Hospital in Bagdad-Iraq. A total of 303 patients
were referred to the ultrasound unit for complaints other than neck pathology. A thyroid ultrasound examination was
carried out, and the American College of Radiology (ACR) thyroid imaging reporting and data system TI-RADS was
recorded when an incidental thyroid nodule was found. Patients were grouped according to the thyroid ultrasound scan
into groups A: 102 participants with incident thyroid nodules; B: 201 participants without identified nodules.
Results: Incidental thyroid nodules were detected in (33.66%) of the current sample, (20.8%) had solitary nodules
while multiple nodules were detected in (12.9 %) of the individuals. Compared to those who did not show nodules,
incidentaloma was identified in 49 (48%) of the older age group (46-60 years), P<0.001 and (20.59%) of those with
enlarged thyroid gland, P<0.001 with no significant sex predilection. According to the internal texture of the nodules
(27.45%) had echogenic texture, followed by hypoechoic t (22.55 %). Approximately one-third of incidentaloma were
TIRADS 4 nodules forming the majority (33.33%) followed by TIRAD 3 (30.39%).
Conclusion: Ultrasound is a valuable test in detecting incidental thyroid nodules. prevalence of incidental thyroid
nodules in Iraqi individuals is (33.7%), and the highest percentage of the detected nodules are classified as moderately
suspicious according to the ACR TI-RADS.
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