Consistency of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System Reporting in Community-Based Imaging Centers Versus a Large Tertiary Hospital

ObjectiveIn our country, thyroid nodules are sonographically evaluated in health maintenance organization (HMO) imaging centers, and patients are referred to tertiary hospitals for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy when indicated. We evaluated the concordance in Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) classification reporting between these sites.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study reviewing the sonographic features of thyroid nodules evaluated both at the HMO and a large tertiary center between January 2018 and December 2019. The primary outcome was concordance between the TI-RADS classification at both sites. Additional endpoints included correlation of TI-RADS to the Bethesda category following FNA and correlation of TI-RADS with malignancy on final pathology at each site.ResultsThe records of 336 patients with 370 nodules were reviewed. The level of concordance was poor (19.8%), with 277 (74.8%) nodules demonstrating higher TI-RADS and 20 (5.4%) lower TI-RADS at the HMO compared to the hospital (P < .001; weighted κ = 0.120). FNA results were available for 236 (63.8%) nodules. The Bethesda category strongly correlated with the hospital TI-RADS (P < .001), yet not with HMO TI-RADS (P = .123). In the surgically removed 57 nodules, a strong correlation was identified between the malignancy on final pathology and TI-RADS documented at the hospital (P < .001), yet not at the HMO (P = .259).ConclusionsThere is poor agreement between TI-RADS classification on ultrasound performed in the HMO compared to a tertiary hospital. The hospital’s TI-RADS strongly correlated with the Bethesda category and the final risk of malignancy, unlike the HMO.     

A clinical comparison between two acoustic analysis softwares: MDVP and Praat

The Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP) and Praat are computer programs commonly used for acoustic analysis of voice in clinical and research settings. Both softwares extract a set of acoustic parameters, many of which are defined similarly. The purpose of this study was to compare results obtained by both programs, and examine whether they can clinically distinguish among pathological groups differently. Fifty-eight women participated in the study. Of these women, 28 were diagnosed with functional dysphonia and 30 were diagnosed with benign mass-lesions (10 nodules, ten polyps and 10 cysts). Six productions of the vowels /a/ and /i/, were analyzed using MDVP and Praat. Results show similar mean fundamental-frequency (mF0) values for both programs (P > 0.05). However, values of jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) and degree of unvoiced (DUV) segment were significantly lower using Praat, in comparison with MDVP. Jitter values obtained using MDVP, for the vowel /i/, revealed a significant group difference between the nodule and cyst groups (P < 0.05). This group contrast was not observed using Praat. Results demonstrate that although high correlations are found between values obtained by both programs, individual numerical values vary greatly. Therefore, combining results from both programs are not advisable. In addition, there are indications that linear transformation for the results from one program to the other might lead to erroneous conclusions, and should be carried out with caution.     

Transformative Network Modeling of Multi-omics Data Reveals Detailed Circuits,Key Regulators,and Potential Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease

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