Current clinical practice prioritizes active surveillance of the suspicious or malignant Thyroid Nodules (TN) in order to define the most appropriate treatment on a case-by-case basis while minimizing unnecessary invasive procedures such as Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) or surgery [1]. A characteristic example is Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinomas which are usually slowly growing tumors with a low percentage of malignant transformation that will benefit from a robust risk stratification tool to further assess the risk and benefits of active surveillance vs. definitive diagnostic and surgical/pharmacological management [2].

TN risk stratification has been dependent upon multiple classifications that use Thyroid Ultrasonographic Malignancy Predictors (TUMP), such as the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System TIRADS^Ò, published first by Horvath et al., 2009 [3] and followed by the American College of Radiology TIRADS^Ò (ACRT) [4] with reliable and effective results. Every published classification is effective, such as ACRT [4], EUTIRADS [5], KTIRADS [6]; however, there are some differences such as the included TUMPs, the time it takes to properly assess each one, and the population that was used to validate each score. In contrast, less complex classifications have been published such as Fernandez Sanchez, 2014 [7], Bailey and Wallwork, 2018 [8], and Seo et al., 2015 [9] presenting acceptable results but with certain difficulties regarding reliability, reproducibility, and correlation with the Bethesda cytological classification system [10] [11].

In 2018, we published the Alpha Score (AS), Mena et al. [12], which used 7 TUMPs: hypoechogenicity, Solid Consistency (SC), irregular borders, microcalcifications, Absence of Peripheral Halo (APH), intra-nodular vascularity (INV), and a size larger than 10 mm, with 4 categories based on the likelihood of malignancy and their need for FNAB (Figures 1-4). The AS has been used in Latin

America but with concerns regarding its sensitivity and the use of two TUMPs, the APH and INV. AS was also conceived thanks to the feedback of radiologists and endocrinologists who prefer simpler classifications that avoid unnecessary FNABs, thus requiring adequate specificity and PPV for optimal reliability [1] [5].

Therefore, in order to improve and promote the use of our stratification tool, we deemed it necessary to perform a multicentric validation through a well-designed prospective study in various institutions and hospitals of Latin America using AS, ACRT and Bethesda in order to determine the reliability and diagnostic

accuracy of our scoring system. Additionally, our study contributes to observations regarding to cytopathological data from Bethesda and the difficulties of applying elastography in these types of studies.

An analytical, observational, prospective, multicentric study was performed in 10 hospitals and radiological institutions of Latin America located in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. A total of 1085 patients with FNABs for TN were studied in the period from January 2019 to September 2019. Database analysis was performed by the Research Department at Alpha Imagen in Quito, where data validation was also performed (duplications, integrity depurations, consistency). After depuration of the database and exclusion of Bethesda category I, 818 TN were included for final analysis. Ten radiologists, managers and coordinators of each participating institution, with a range of 5 - 20 years of experience in thyroid ultrasound, trained to use AS [12] and ACRT, analyzed the TNs by strictly using the lexicon and description of ACRT [4] and AS [12] for all TUMPs. The diameter of all TNs was determined by choosing the plane (sagittal, transverse or oblique) where the diameter was the greatest. All data extracted at each institution were registered in an on-line platform (Google Docs Version: DIC-AI. MOMeNTO. 2019. v2.1^©) that was constantly monitored to ensure quality by the team from Alpha Imagen (Ecuador). Additionally, three institutions conducted elastography studies (Strain, 2D Shear wave and point Shear wave) on each TN.

Inclusion criteria included: 1) patients referred for thyroid FNAB from outpatient clinics or from the departments (endocrinology, internal medicine, or head and neck surgery) of the participating hospitals; 2) only one nodule per patient will be included in our analysis, if a patient has more than one, the TN with the highest score in the classifications will be selected. Exclusion criteria included: 1) patients with previous thyroid surgery; 2) patients with FNAB prior to the beginning of the study; 3) patients with previous iodine-based therapy [13].

Every TN was analyzed prospectively in the participating institutions, on real time ultrasound, with the following ultrasonography equipment: Resona 7 Mindray^Ò, Aplio 500 Canon Toshiba^Ò, Acuson S300 Siemens^Ò, RS80 Samsung^Ò, Aloka Arietta S70 Hitachi^Ò, Logic E9 GEÒ, H60 Samsung^Ò, Voluson E8 GE^Ò, EPIQ5 Philips^Ò, Logic F8 GE^Ò and Affiniti 50G Philips^Ò. Only high definition linear transducers were used and there was no need for compatibility calculations between different equipment brands thanks to the standardization of tests performed to assure an adequate registration of B-Mode images; such tests are well documented in scientific literature (Sassaroli et al., 2019) [14], as well as validated by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) [15] [16]. FNABs were performed and sent for analysis by an expert thyroid pathologist who applied the Bethesda classification system.

After modeling tests (decision trees, factorial analysis), Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) was determined to be the ideal method for analysis, by grouping 8 dichotomic variables, the 7 TUMPs of AS and the taller-than-wide shape (TTW) TUMP from ACRT, which is their only dichotomic variable (Figure 4 Panel A). BLR provides coefficients that correlate each variable with the likelihood of the TNs being malignant or benign, provides the associated p-value, odds ratio (OR), chi-square goodness of fit of Nagerkeke and classification index. The 8 TUMPs were statistically examined as predictors both individually (univariate analysis) and grouped (bivariable and multivariate analysis), depending on their mean values, standard deviations, medians, interquartile ranges, frequency, percentages. Kolmogorov (>50 TNs) was used to confirm that the data was non parametrical and different tests were applied, Kendall for dependency, Mann-Whitney for sum of ranks, McNemar for dichotomous contingency features and Spearman for statistical dependency, each one considering a p-value of 0.05 for a sample with 95% statistical confidence and an error margin of 4%. From the contingency table, Sen, Spe, PPV, NPV and statistical accuracy were calculated for each variable, data was validated with AUC values, and every calculation was made on EXCEL^Ò and SPSS-22 of IBM^Ò.

Meetings took place between the co-authors to analyze distinct scenarios with resulting statistical values to decide, through medical radiological criteria, which variables would be used and validated. The ß parameter was used to estimate values with a maximum verisimilitude method, which selects the coefficients that are more compatible with the observed results or that have the highest likelihood for the observed results to actually occur. The method assigns a value of 1 to the TUMP of least value, 0 cannot be assigned due to it representing absence of a characteristic. The data recorded in the ß parameter for each TUMP were compared with each other to determine the real importance of each TUMP. To achieve this, the ratio/reason method is adopted, through which, each of the predictors gets assigned a specific value that results from the quotient with the variable assigned the value of 1, decimals are approximated when >0.5 [17].

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained at each individual institution. AS 2.0 was not used to inform or change the course of treatment and/or clinical management of the patients, it was only calculated in addition to a well validated prognostic tool (ACRT) that was the one used to inform patient management. This study was reported following the STROBE guidelines [18].

818 TNs were included for final analysis, of those 83.7% were female and 16.3% were male between 14 and 88 years, subdivided by the median into 2 distinct age groups (14 - 52 years and ≥53 years). Cytopathological diagnoses, stratified with Bethesda, were as follows: 69.4% benign (Bethesda II), 18.1% uncertain (Bethesda III and IV), and 12.5% malignant (Bethesda V and VI), detailed in Table 1. Variables were excluded from final analysis based on the results outputted by the statistical model used, that calculates standard error, statistical significance and

OR [19]. The reasons used for excluding variables were: statistical p-value > 0.05; standard deviation > 1 and OR value closer to 1, which points towards a lack of association with other variables or those variables have an exaggerated magnitude (Table 2). The TUMPs INV, APH and TN diameter 1.0 cm, that all had a p-value greater than 0.05 and an OR value with close proximity to 1, were modified from the original AS in order to improve the statistical power of the tool; APH and INV were eliminated, TN diameter acquired a special scoring system, and a new TUMP was introduced (TTW) resulting in the new Alpha Score 2.0 (AS 2.0) (Table 2, Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 4).

The data match between Bethesda and AS 2.0 shows expected results and percentual distribution points towards a direct correlation between AS 2.0 and Bethesda for classifying a TN as either benign or malignant; complete data is showed on Table 3. The results from the analysis of each of the included TUMPs was used to determine the final score given to each variable in order to calculate the final AS 2.0 as shown in Table 4 [20]. Follow up of TNs with SC showed higher malignant outcomes in around 60% of cases. Furthermore, when SC was associated with TN diameter, an additional variable chosen by measuring the highest association degree (X² Pearson, association and Cramer V for symmetry) between each individual variable compared with SC [21]. The association of these two variables with the likelihood of malignancy increased, which is why a bonification of 1 additional point was given to the SC TUMP when associated with a TN diameter equal or greater than 1.5 cm (Figure 1, Figure 2). Table 5 shows the statistic diagnostic tests (Se, Sp, PPV, NPV) for the TUMPs individually as well as for the whole AS 2.0. Regarding the correlation between AS 2.0 with ACRT and Bethesda, using Pearson’s R (benign and malignant) the values were: 0.91 with Bethesda and 0.77 with ACRT, with a standard error of 0.027 and 0.04 respectively, both with a significance of 0.00. ROC of AS 2.0 TUMPs

Note: Calculated with the formula: 1/1+e^−f, 0.9909 probability of occurrence (OP), and 0.0091 probability of nonoccurrence and a 108.89 Odds ratio.

Abbreviations: PPV, positive predictive values; NPV, negative predictive values.

are detailed in Table 6. The elastography values in kPa, m/s and the Strain Ratio were not consistent between the institutions and had poor results on statistical testing which is why it was not possible to establish a benign/malignant cut-off point for this technique. Table 7 shows a summary of the distribution of AS 2.0, Bethesda categories, assigned scores, additional scores and recommended conduct for TN management in terms of follow up, active vigilance or a FNAB.

There was no interobserver analysis due to the difficulties of a multicenter study in several developing countries. However, the magnitude of the differences for false positives and negatives of each country with respect to the total was calculated, resulting in a coincidence for false positives of 0.983 and 0.943 for false negatives, showing that there were no significant differences amongst institutions.

To the best of our knowledge, in Latin America, the use of an ultrasound TN scoring system for malignancy prediction, applied exclusively in our populations, has not been performed until now. We have conducted this prospective study in 10 Latin-American institutions using the AS and validating it by comparing the results with ACRT and Bethesda with a correlation of 0.77 and 0.91, respectively. From the results obtained, we present a new version (AS 2.0), improved by robust statistical analysis in order to include only relevant TUMPs as explained in the methodology section. The new AS 2.0 was thus created by using the predictors that obtained the best statistical results HE, SC, IB, MC, TTW, achieving significant statistical values (Se 82%, Spe 74%, PPV 94%, NPV 51%) with an accuracy of 81% in comparison with original AS values: Se 47.6% and Sp of 98.1% (Mena et al. 2018) [12]. In comparison, ACRT reports a Se between 75% to 97% and a Spe of 53% to 67% [22] [23]. Furthermore, our model also grants an additional point to the final AS 2.0 score, in case of a solid TN with a diameter superior to 1.5 cm, in similar fashion as EUTIRADS [5] and KTIRADS [24], (Figure 1, Figure 2). This methodology has been used in previous studies showing that it results in a more efficient stratification tool [24] [25].

Notes: ^aUnder the nonparametric assumption; ^bNull hypothesis: true area = 0.5.

A recent guideline focusing on the state of the art of TN Ultrasound published in 2019 [22], mentions ACTR as the main scoring system; nonetheless, it appears to have no clear advantages of use when compared to other available scores such as EU-TIRADS, K-TIRADS, AACE/ACE/AME, [26] and ATA [27] [28]. Another investigation validated ACRT in comparison to the “Web-based malignancy risk stratification system (WMRS)” score and the Korean score KSThR, finding adequate predictive values between the 3, with WMRS having an advantage over the others [29]. Similar results were reported in another prospective study, published in 2019, comparing AACE/ACE/AME, ATA, ACRT and EU-TIRADS, with ACRT achieving the best prediction rates as it classified more than half of the FNABs as unnecessary with a NPV of 97.8% [30]. Furthermore, in May 2020, a meta-analysis comparing 5 ultrasound risk stratification systems also favored the use of ACRT as it demonstrated better performance by properly selecting TN that required FNAB [31]. Additionally, a paper reporting the institutional experience with ACRT, from Saudi Arabia, retrospectively estimated Se, Sp, PPV, and NPV of 75%, 62.35%, 15.7% and 96.3%, respectively; Sp and PPV are low, which predisposes to performing less FNABs which might be ACRT’s objective, but with the risk of misdiagnosing malignant TN in the process [32]. Finally, in March 2020, a systematic review found 66 articles, none of them reporting or using new scales, only ACRT or ATA [33]. Results of this analysis showed variability in the specificity of ACRT and concludes that the correct classification of TNs as negative (non-malignant) is greatly dependent upon operator skill [33].

In our experience, AS 2.0 offers an easy-to-use classification, quick to calculate and with similar effectiveness as ACRT which encompasses 5 evaluation groups conformed by 17 ultrasonographical parameters used to stratify the nodule in one of 5 categories (T1 - T5); this results in a very detailed classification, but that results in a steeper learning curve with more time invested in both training and performing the ultrasound classification. In comparison, AS 2.0 only includes 5 dichotomic TUMPs, which might result in faster training and quick stratification, something particularly desirable in the healthcare system of developing countries.

Our study shows male predominance of malignant TNs, which differs from reported data in the literature, however our general prevalence of TNs coincides with other studies that report a 4:1 and 2 - 3:1 ratio between females and males [34] [35] [36], we have a proportion of 5:1, similar to what is established internationally [37] [38].

Table 3 and Table 7 summarizes the correlation between AS 2.0 and Bethesda, indicating that only 1.9% of malignant TNs are misclassified on the benign category, which translates to an optimal statistical certainty for choosing not to perform an FNAB (79.5% benignancy certainty). Furthermore, only 8.7% of malignant TNs are classified as low suspicion of malignancy which will result in active vigilance of the nodule, thus avoiding premature FNABs and diminishing patient’s anxiety. In contrast, the moderate suspicion of malignancy category included malignant TNs in 13.6% of cases, and benign TNs in only 4.9%, which is why FNAB is recommended in this category as well as in the high suspicion of malignancy category where only 2.3% of nodules were benign and 75.7% were indeed malignant thus mandating confirmatory FNAB. These results are associated with a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 74% and PPV of 94%, suggesting that AS 2.0 is a reliable classification system.

Although the use of elastography is not the focus of our research, there are many publications like the ones from the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) [39], EU-TIRADS [5] and Remonti et al., that report the use of ultrasound elastography in TNs, but variability in the results mainly due to ultrasound equipment differences, make it difficult to standardize exact values in order to include elastography as a TUMP with statistical validation [40]. EU-TIRADS includes elastography but without specifying the type of elastography or the cut-off values that should be used [31]. In our study the results of the three institutions that performed elastography on TNs were not statistically conclusive, so they were not included in this study. However, in our experience, thyroid tissue has similar values between point shear wave and 2D shear wave (Figure 3, Figure 4 Panel C and Panel D), we also use strain elastography with values of tissue deformity and strain ratios and we only use elastography as an additional informative tool and not as a proper ultrasonographic malignancy predictor classification system.

AS 2.0 is not designed to be used in diffuse thyroid lesions nor to classify a nodule of mixed predominance or an atypical cystic or atypical calcified lesion in detail, for all of these lesions any current published classification such as ACRT that manages those cases, should be used. It was not possible to calculate interobserver agreement due to the difficulties inherent of multicenter study involving several developing countries. However, the differences of false positives and negatives of each institution were calculated, finding that there were no significant differences (see results). There were no histopathological studies performed on the TNs of this study because we used Bethesda classification and in some of those categories histopathological study is not required.

Results from this Latin-American multicentric study indicated that AS 2.0 has superior diagnostic accuracy and performance compared to the previously published AS. AS 2.0 is able to classify a benign TN in a precise, safe and accurate way, avoiding unnecessary FNABs, and aids in the decision of active vigilance without FNAB in those TNs classified as low suspicion for malignancy or determines the necessity of puncturing those nodes with moderate to high suspicion of malignancy. AS 2.0 has a good correlation with ACRT and Bethesda, two well-known TN stratification systems.

We would like to thank the following persons for their contributions to this study:

Kelly Tafur, Candy Valencia, Oscar Jaramillo, Christian Palacios, Karla Garay, Francisco Suárez, Lorena Moreno, Lucas Di Pasquale, Jenny Sosa, Sonia Araujo, Yusmary El Kantar, Carola Jácome, Clemencia Escobar, Jhoanna Arévalo, Karina Gangotena, Mayra Álava, Ximena Cuzco, Sergio Valencia, and Carlos Regalado.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Mena, G., Chammas, M.C., Vasquez, C.M.G., Villagómez, L.R., Pico, M.A.M., Montalvo, P.A., Mena-Bucheli, S., Olmedo, J., Quintero, E., de Marqui Moraes, P.H., Saito, O.C., Diaz, H., Romero, D., Velalcazar, G., Fleitas, A.R.S., Ontaneda, Y.O.Q. and Chara, V.R. (2021) Paper Title. Open Journal of Radiology, 11, 160-174. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojrad.2021.114015