Factors and Outcomes of Inappropriate Thyroid Ultrasonography

What are the frequency, contributing factors, and outcomes of inappropriate thyroid ultrasonography (TUS) within a large, multicenter health care system?In this cohort study including 11 442 initial TUS orders, 866 (7.6%) were classified as inappropriate. Factors significantly associated with inappropriate TUS included younger age, a history of hyperthyroidism, orders originating from nonendocrinology specialties, and those placed through online patient portals rather than in-person appointments.These findings highlight the need for targeted educational and system-level interventions to optimize the use of TUS, which may reduce the risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of thyroid conditions.

Corresponding Author: Juan P. Brito, MD, MS, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolism, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55902 (brito.juan@mayo.edu).

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