Diagnostic value of modified systemic inflammation score for prediction of malignancy in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules

Background: Approximately 20% of the thyroid biopsies render an indeterminate (ID) cytology. We evaluated the diagnostic value of preoperative modified systemic inflammation score (mSIS) in predicting the malignancy of ID thyroid nodules (TNs). Methods: Data of 162 patients with indeterminate TNs were examined retrospectively. The mSIS was calculated as follows: mSIS 0 [patients with albumin (ALB) >= 4.0 g/dL and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) >= 3.4], mSIS 1 [ALB < 4.0 g/dL or LMR < 3.4], and mSIS 2 [ALB < 4.0 g/dL and LMR < 3.4]. Results: Patients were classified into mSIS 0 (n = 105), mSIS 1 (n = 34) and mSIS 2 (n = 23) groups. The malignancy rates for the mSIS 0, 1 and 2 groups were 34.3%, 64.7% and 100% respectively. Preoperative mSIS was significantly associated with the presence of thyroid malignancy (p < 0.001). Conclusions: If the mSIS of patients with ID cytology is 1 or 2, appropriate surgical treatment should be performed without delay, due to the increased risk of malignancy. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the diagnostic value of preoperative modified systemic inflammation score in predicting the malignancy of thyroid nodules, showing that patients with mSIS 1 or 2 had an increased risk of malignancy and should undergo appropriate surgical treatment promptly.