Thyroid Awareness Month – Understanding TI-RADS & ATA Risk Categories

Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO

Not all thyroid nodules are the same. Ultrasound risk stratification helps determine which nodules need biopsy and which can be safely observed.

🔍 What are TI-RADS and ATA?

ACR TI-RADS and ATA ultrasound patterns are validated systems that estimate cancer risk based on ultrasound features—not symptoms. They standardize care and reduce unnecessary biopsies and surgeries.

đź“Š How do these systems work?

Ultrasound evaluates:

Composition (solid vs cystic) Echogenicity Margins Calcifications Shape (taller-than-wide)

Each feature contributes to a risk category, which guides:

✔️ Whether to biopsy

✔️ When to follow up

✔️ How closely to monitor

🧪 Key patient takeaway

Low-risk nodules → observation with periodic ultrasound Intermediate/high-risk nodules → biopsy at size thresholds ➡️ This approach is safe, evidence-based, and personalized.

🦋 Why this matters

Risk stratification:

Avoids overdiagnosis Focuses treatment on clinically meaningful disease Improves patient reassurance and outcomes

👨‍⚕️ Rodrigo Arrangoiz, MD

Surgical Oncologist – Thyroid, Head & Neck, Breast

Mount Sinai Medical Center

đź“Ś Take-home message:

The goal is the right test for the right nodule at the right time.

đź“š References

Tessler FN et al. ACR TI-RADS. Radiology Haugen BR et al. ATA Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules. Thyroid Russ G et al. EU-TI-RADS. Eur J Endocrinol

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Published by Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO

My name is Rodrigo Arrangoiz I am a breast surgeon/ thyroid surgeon / parathyroid surgeon / head and neck surgeon / surgical oncologist that works at Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology in Miami, Florida. I was trained as a surgeon at Michigan State University from (2005 to 2010) where I was a chief resident in 2010. My surgical oncology and head and neck training was performed at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia from 2010 to 2012. At the same time I underwent a masters in science (Clinical research for health professionals) at the University of Drexel. Through the International Federation of Head and Neck Societies / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center I performed a two year head and neck surgery and oncology / endocrine fellowship that ended in 2016. Mi nombre es Rodrigo Arrangoiz, soy cirujano oncólogo / cirujano de tumores de cabeza y cuello / cirujano endocrino que trabaja Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology en Miami, Florida. Fui entrenado como cirujano en Michigan State University (2005 a 2010 ) donde fui jefe de residentes en 2010. Mi formación en oncología quirúrgica y e n tumores de cabeza y cuello se realizó en el Fox Chase Cancer Center en Filadelfia de 2010 a 2012. Al mismo tiempo, me sometí a una maestría en ciencias (investigación clínica para profesionales de la salud) en la Universidad de Drexel. A través de la Federación Internacional de Sociedades de Cabeza y Cuello / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center realicé una sub especialidad en cirugía de cabeza y cuello / cirugia endocrina de dos años que terminó en 2016.

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