非选择性人群中甲状腺结节患病情况的研究

目的:探讨非选择性人群中经超声检查甲状腺结节的患病情况及良恶性结节的超声特征。方法:采用横断面的研究方法,对2014年3-4月间所有在我院行甲状腺超声检查的群体,无论其是否有甲状腺疾病拟或是体检的结果进行分析,比较在不同年龄、性别人群甲状腺结节的患病率及良恶性结节的超声特征。结果:本研究期间共有1045例受检者完成甲状腺超声检查,经超声检查发现甲状腺结节者573例,总患病率54.83%。不同年龄阶段甲状腺结节的患病率不同,患病率有随年龄增高而增高的趋势(P0.01)。不同性别甲状腺结节患病率亦不同(男49.8%vs女56.65%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。在甲状腺结节患者中,表现为单一结节者233例(40.66%),多发结节者340例(59.34%),不同性别间结节数目差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。全部甲状腺结节患者中,92例(16.06%)行细针穿刺抽吸活检(FNAB),其中诊断为恶性者28例,占所有结节患者的4.89%。超声检查边界欠清晰、钙化在恶性结节的发生率显著高于良性结节(P0.05)。结论:非选择人群中甲状腺结节的患病率较高,尤其是女性,不同性别甲状腺结节患者的特点有所差异,结节钙化、边界欠清晰等超声特点有助于甲状腺恶性结节的筛查。     

TI-RADS分类联合血清TSH、TPOAb、TgAb检测对甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断价值

摘要 目的：分析甲状腺影像报告和数据系统（TI-RADS）分类联合血清促甲状腺激素（TSH）、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体（TPOAb）、甲状腺球蛋白抗体（TgAb）检测对甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断价值。方法：回顾性分析2019年1月至2021年1月中国人民解放军联勤保障部队解放军第九〇一医院收治的76例甲状腺结节患者的临床资料。术后病理结果显示32例为甲状腺恶性结节（恶性组）,44例为良性结节（良性组）。对比两组超声征象以及血清TSH、TPOAb、TgAb的表达情况。甲状腺恶性结节的影响因素通过多因素Logistic回归进行分析,TI-RADS分类联合TSH、TPOAb、TgAb检测对甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断价值通过受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线进行评估。结果：恶性组结节质地为实性、边界模糊/毛刺、微钙化、内部回声为低回声、纵横比＞1、TI-RADS分类≥4类占比明显高于良性组（P＜0.05）,而两组结节直径、结节数目比较无差异（P＞0.05）。恶性组TSH、TPOAb、TgAb水平均高于良性组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,质地为实性、边界模糊/毛刺、微钙化、内部回声为低回声、纵横比＞1、TI-RADS分类≥4类、高TSH、高TPOAb、高TgAb水平为甲状腺恶性结节的危险因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线结果显示,TI-RADS分类、TSH、TPOAb、TgAb联合检测较各指标单独检测的诊断效能更高。结论：TI-RADS分类联合血清TSH、TPOAb、TgAb检测可有效鉴别甲状腺结节性质,且联合检测诊断效能更高。     

甲状腺结节良恶性的彩色多普勒超声特征及其诊断价值分析

目的:研究甲状腺结节良恶性的彩色多普勒超声特征及其诊断价值。方法:选取从2016年3月~2019年2月于我院接受手术治疗的甲状腺疾病患者300例作为研究对象,均予以彩超检查,比较甲状腺良恶性结节的超声特征(主要包括直径、钙化情况、边界、回声、血流状况)。以病理活检结果为金标准,分析彩超诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的敏感性、特异性以及准确度。对比甲状腺良恶性结节的血流分型情况以及各项血流动力学参数。结果:恶性结节超声特征直径≥2 cm、有钙化、边界模糊、无回声/低回声、血流丰富人数占比均高于良性结节(均P<0.05)。以手术病理组织活检结果作为金标准,彩色多普勒超声诊断甲状腺结节的敏感性、特异性以及准确度分别为97.73%、86.11%、96.33%。甲状腺良性结节血流分型为Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型人数占比高于恶性结节,而Ⅲ型、Ⅳ型人数占比低于恶性结节(均P<0.05)。甲状腺良性结节的收缩期峰值血流速度(PSV)、阻力指数(RI)均低于恶性结节,而舒张末期血流速度(EDV)高于恶性结节(均P<0.05)。结论:彩色多普勒超声对甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别价值较高,且具有较高的敏感性、特异性以及准确度,可为甲状腺良恶性结节的早期诊断、临床治疗提供重要的参考依据。     

超声造影检查对早期甲状腺单发结节良恶性的鉴别诊断价值

目的:建立以甲状腺单发结节超声诊断为变量的回归模型,分析比较超声造影与常规超声检查对甲状腺单发结节良恶性的鉴别诊断价值。方法:选择来我院就诊的甲状腺单发结节患者274例,让所有患者均接受常规超声检查和超声造影检查,并手术后进行病理诊断,建立相应回归模型,评价超声造影对甲状腺单发性良恶性结节的鉴别诊断价值,为临床检查及治疗提供参考。结果:超声造影检查的良恶性检出率均优于常规超声检查。超声造影检查良性结节检出率为65.69%,恶性检出率为34.31%,敏感度96.70%,特异度95.65%,准确率96.35%,均优于常规超声检查。Logistic回归分析显示,钙化、达峰时间、增强程度及最大灌注强度以上四项特征出现的越多,待测的甲状腺结节越有可能是恶性结节。结论:超声造影对良、恶性甲状腺单发结节的鉴别具有重要的临床诊断意义。     

高频超声探查甲状腺结节内钙化的临床价值

目的：探讨甲状腺钙化在诊断和鉴别诊断甲状腺姑节中的临床意义。方法：回顾性分析经超声检查和手术病理证实的77例甲状腺结节患者的临床资料。结果：超声检查与病理对照分析显示：良性20例,结节性甲状腺肿18例,恶性56例,其中乳头状癌50例,乳头状增生1例。良性结节中超声声像图钙化多表现为均匀强回声光斑,光团或弧形光团,后方伴声影。恶性结节中钙化表现为“针尖样”、“砂粒样”、“点状”的微钙化,后方声影可有可无。结论：依据甲状腺结节内钙化的形态大小,可以鉴别甲状腺结节的良恶性。     

桥本甲状腺炎合并良恶性病变超声图像对比分析

目的 探讨超声在桥本甲状腺炎合并良恶性病变诊断中的价值.方法 本组病例:桥本甲状腺炎合并甲状腺癌82例,合并良性病变87例,结合病理结果和术前超声检查,总结其声图像特点进行对比分析.结果 桥本甲状腺炎合并甲状腺良恶性病变时,在超声图像上有其明显的特征表现,二者差异有统计学意义,桥本甲状腺炎合并甲状腺癌有如下特点:结节多呈低回声,边缘不规整,无明显包膜;多伴有砂砾样钙化;有的局部腺体回声明显减低,伴有弥漫性的砂砾样钙化,血流显示多为结节内的条状血流.良性病变结节多轮廓清晰,结节内回声高低不等,少有砂砾样钙化,结节周边多可见血流显示.结论 对桥本状腺炎合并其他病变时,超声检查应注意腺体回声情况及腺体内病变的回声情况进行全面分析和判断;对于结节形态不规则、边界不清晰、伴有钙化灶、衰减应注意有恶性病变变的可能.     

常规高频超声联合超声弹性成像在甲状腺良恶性结节鉴别诊断中的应用价值

目的:研究常规高频超声与超声弹性成像在甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法:选择住院的甲状腺结节性疾病患者120例(146个甲状腺结节)。对患者进行常规高频超声和超声弹性成像检查,以术后病理检查为金标准,计算不同方法对甲状腺良恶性结节鉴别诊断的灵敏度、特异度、准确度。结果:120例患者,经手术病理检查证实有146个结节,其中良性结节98个,恶性结节48个。常规高频超声显示在形态、边界、包膜、内部回声、微钙化及RI值上,甲状腺良、恶性结节之间的差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。常规高频超声与弹性成像相比,诊断效能之间的差异无统计学意义(P0.05);常规高频超声与联合超声诊断的灵敏度(X~2=12.22,P0.01)、特异度(X~2=10.21,P0.01)、准确度(X~2=9.31,P0.01)相比较,差异具有统计学显著性;超声弹性成像与联合超声诊断灵敏度(X~2=6.51,P0.01)、特异度(X~2=5.82,P0.05)、准确度(X~2=4.56,P0.05)相比,差异具有统计学显著性。结论:常规高频超声联合超声弹性成像对甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断灵敏度和准确度高,值得进一步推广临床应用。     

高频彩色多普勒超声对甲状腺结节的临床诊断价值

目的:探讨彩色多普勒超声对甲状腺结节的临床诊断价值。方法:在我院经手术病理确诊的甲状腺结节患者142例中,使用彩色多普勒超声进行检查,记录结节的单多发类型、有无边界、有无声晕、内部回声、有无钙化和血流分布情况。结果:142例甲状腺结节患者中,有96例良性,46例恶性。超声诊断结果与病理结果比较,其准确性、灵敏度、特异度分别为81.69%、91.67%和79.66%。结论:甲状腺结节使用彩色多普勒超声检查,能获得很高的确诊率。     

彩色多普勒超声联合血清P53、midkine、S-TK1鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性的临床价值研究

摘要 目的：研究彩色多普勒超声联合血清P53、midkine及胸苷激酶1（S-TK1）鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性的临床价值。方法：将2015年1月～2020年1月我院收治的420例甲状腺结节患者纳入研究。将其按照术后病理学检查结果的不同分成恶性结节组150例与良性结节组270例。比较两组各项超声图像特征,血清P53、midkine及S-TK1水平。以受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析彩色多普勒超声联合血清P53、midkine、S-TK1或以上方式单独检测诊断甲状腺恶性结节的能效。结果：恶性结节组超声图像特征中形态不规则,边界不清晰,无包膜,内部钙化以及血流分级为2～3级人数占比均高于良性结节组（P＜0.05）。恶性结节组血清P53、midkine及S-TK1水平均高于良性结节组（P＜0.05）。经ROC曲线分析可得：彩色多普勒超声联合血清P53、midkine、S-TK1诊断甲状腺恶性结节的曲线下面积为0.895、灵敏度为0.92以及特异度为0.88均高于上述方式单独检测。结论：彩色多普勒超声联合血清P53、midkine及S-TK1鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性的临床价值较高。     

超声弹性成像联合血清TSH、TT3、TT4在甲状腺结节良恶性诊断的临床价值研究

目的:探讨超声弹性成像联合血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)、总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3)、总甲状腺素(TT4)在甲状腺结节良恶性诊断的临床价值。方法:选择2018年1月至2019年12月我院收治的甲状腺结节患者80例,根据病理检查结果分为良性结节组(48例),恶性结节组(32例),所有患者术前进行血清TSH、TT3、TT4及超声弹性成像检查,比较各组血清TSH、TT3、TT4水平及超声弹性成像评分,分析甲状腺结节患者血清TSH、TT3、TT4水平与超声弹性成像评分的相关性,超声弹性成像联合血清TSH、TT3、TT4在甲状腺恶性结节诊断的临床价值。结果:恶性结节组血清TSH、TT3、TT4水平显著高于良性结节组,超声弹性成像评分高分比例显著高于良性结节组(P<0.05),经Pearson相关分析显示,甲状腺结节患者血清TSH、TT3、TT4水平与超声弹性成像评分呈正相关(P<0.05)。以病理诊断为金标准,超声弹性成像联合血清TSH、TT3、TT4诊断甲状腺恶性结节的灵敏度为96.88%,特异度为93.75%,准确度为95.00%,灵敏度、特异度和准确度优于单独血清TSH、TT3、TT4检测和单独超声弹性成像检测。结论:超声弹性成像联合血清TSH、TT3、TT4对甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别诊断具有较好的临床价值。     

The association of colour flow Doppler sonography and conventional ultrasonography improves the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we compared the results of conventional ultrasonography (US) and colour flow Doppler sonography (CFDS) with those of US guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and of pathologic staging of resected thyroid nodules, to assess the relative importance of US and CFDS in discriminating malignant thyroid nodules. SUBJECTS AND STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed records of 230 patients submitted to US-guided FNAB before surgery for solitary, not hot thyroid nodules. Before US guided FNAB, they were examined with conventional US and CFDS. Conventional US evaluated nodule size, echogenicity, presence of halo sign and microcalcifications. CFDS evaluated the vascular pattern classified as types I, II and III. Twenty-seven patients with inadequate cytology were excluded from this study (11.7%). RESULTS: Two hundred and three patients underwent surgery. At histology a thyroid carcinoma was found in 36 patients (17.7%) and a benign nodule was observed in 167 patients (82.3%). We did not find any difference in cancer prevalence between nodules with a primary tumour size < or =1 cm and those >1 cm (17.6 vs. 17.7%; p = 0.99). A solid echo texture was not statistically significant to suggest malignancy (p = 0.32). Microcalcifications were seen in 83.3% (30/36) of malignant nodules and in 33.5% (56/167) of benign nodules. These results were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The type III flow as determined by CFDS was a statistically significant criterion to suggest malignant disease (p < 0.005). The most predictive findings of malignancy on conventional US was the combination of microcalcifications plus the absence of halo sign (sensitivity 75%, specificity 71.9%, p < 0.0001). The combination of an absence of halo sign on conventional US and a type III pattern on CFDS presented the higher sensitivity (83.3%) for malignancy with a specificity of 43.7%. Microcalcifications on US in combination with a type III CFDS pattern showed a lesser sensitivity (80.6%) with an improved specificity (75.4%). In our opinion, the better balanced combination of US and CFDS features was the absence of halo sign plus microcalcifications and a type III CDFS pattern (sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 77.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of conventional US and CFDS provides benefits in increasing the screening sensitivity and accuracy in distinguishing malignant thyroid nodules.     

Value of repeated fine needle aspiration cytology in patients with nodular goiter

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of reaspiration cytology in benign nodular thyroid disease. DESIGN: We prospectively studied 400 patients (365 women, 35 men) aged 46 years (18-89) with nodular thyroid disease and initial benign fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Reaspiration of the same nodule was performed in a median follow-up time of 14 months (6-18). RESULTS: Repeat FNAC was benign in 346 patients (86.5%), insufficient for diagnosis in 42 (10.5%), suspicious in 16 (2.5%) and malignant in 2 (0.5%). All diagnostic changes to suspicious malignant cytology took place in patients with solitary nodules. Surgery confirmed thyroid cancer in the 2 patients with malignant cytology, in 5 of 10 patients with suspicious cytology and in none of 39 patients with benign cytology who underwent surgery for other reasons. Clinical changes (size increase or local symptoms) were not related to changes in cytologic diagnosis after a second aspiration, nor with the results of the biopsy. CONCLUSION: Repeat aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules may correct initial false negative results because of cytologic misdiagnosis, occurring in 1.75% of patients, whereas clinical changes did not contribute to diagnosis change. Repeat aspiration cytology is recommended in all patients with nodular goiter.     

A Literature Review of Factors Associated With Pain From Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Thyroid Nodules

ObjectiveThyroid nodules are common, being detected in 19% to 67% of the population. A fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is recommended for suspicious thyroid nodules to rule out malignancy; however, the procedure can be painful for subsets of patients. It remains unclear what factors are more likely to be associated with pain during FNAB. This literature review aimed to investigate patient-, procedure-, and analgesic-related factors that affect pain levels during thyroid nodule FNAB.MethodsPredefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were set to search the Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases. The articles evaluating the factors affecting pain during FNAB were assessed for inclusion. The primary outcome of interest was scores evaluating pain level during FNAB.ResultsTwenty-two studies were included. The studies were a mix of cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and clinical controlled trials. Under patient-related factor, nodule calcification was associated with increasing pain. The procedure-related factors potentially increasing pain included the number of needle passes and utilization of the aspiration technique (as opposed to capillary action), perpendicular needle placement (as opposed to parallel), and not using safety devices. Larger needle size, type of biopsy, operator expertise, and patient education did not appear to be correlated with pain. Subcutaneous lidocaine appeared to provide better pain relief than a topical analgesic.ConclusionWith increasing use of FNAB as the diagnostic test of choice for assessing thyroid nodules, understanding patient-, procedure-, and analgesic-related factors associated with optimal patient satisfaction is imperative.     

Rendimiento diagnóstico de los hallazgos ecográficos de los nódulos tiroideos en la detección de lesiones malignas

ObjetiveTo evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of sonographic findings (nodule size, the presence of microcalcifications and echogenicity) compared with the results of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid nodules.MethodsThe results of cytology and the ultrasound characteristics of 341 thyroid nodules were analyzed.ResultsA total of 25.5% of the FNAB were inadequate, 65.1% were benign and 7.9% were suspicious or malignant. The percentage of inadequate samples was clearly larger in nodules smaller that 15 mm but that of malignant cytologies was also larger in this group of nodules (11.1 versus 2.8%: p=0.04). The percentage of inadequate samples among nodules smaller than 10 mm was 66.7% and no malignancies were detected. A notable finding was the absence of suspicious or malignant FNAB in hyperechogenic and anechogenic nodules. In contrast, the echogenic feature most frequently associated with malignancy was hypoechogenicity, although echogenicity, as a whole, was not significantly associated with malignancy (p=0.313). Most cases with microcalcifications (6 of 10) were malignant compared with four of the 239 nodules (1.7%) without calcifications (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the only variable maintaining a significant association with malignancy was the presence of microcalcifications.ConclusionsThyroid cytology is an efficient method to evaluate thyroid nodules larger than 10 mm. The presence of nodule microcalcifications is significantly associated with malignancy, while hyperechogenicity and anechogenicity are associated with benign nodules.     

Thyroid neoplasms. Can we do any better with quantitative cytology?

The differential diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms by routine cytology presents major difficulties. We therefore looked for measurable nuclear parameters that could be generated from Feulgen-stained smears obtained by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). These parameters would then be used to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Seventy-six patients whose cold thyroid nodule was surgically excised after FNAB and examined by a pathologist were used in this study: 56 benign, 18 malignant and 2 atypical adenomas. A set of 3,662 cells from the 33 benign cases was compared with the set of 1,712 cells from the 11 malignant nodules. Discrimination between the two populations was based on four nuclear features ranked according to their discriminating power. The first ranked was a textural parameter, followed by a densitometric and finally two other textural parameters. The rate of nuclei that could be regarded as benign was computed for each case using the ranked parameters. The average rate for the 33 benign cases was 85% (50.2 = 100%, set at the 95% confidence interval). In a prospective study of the 32 remaining patients, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 92% and 88%, which were higher than those obtained by conventional cytology.     

FNAB thyroid gland: comparison study between pre- and post-operative histological diagnosis

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is recommended as the first and most important step in the management of nodular thyroid disease. A retrospective study of 520 patients with nodular thyroid disease was done in the north of Jordan, between January 1998 and August 2001. We compared the results of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid gland with postoperative histological findings. The results are classified into three groups A)-benign, B)-malignant, and C)-suspicious as shown in table II. The results of the FNAB were benign in 96.4% of the cases which include benign colloid nodules (325 cases), multi-nodular goitre (70 cases), diffuse goitre (40 cases), thyroiditis (23 cases) and thyroid cysts (43 cases). A total of 52 patients underwent surgical management, 49 patients found to be accurate with the FNAB. The accuracy of FNAB was 94% (49 patients out of 52), with a specificity of 99% and a sensitivity of 93%. Ultrasound findings showed that 65% (338 patients) had solid nodules, 15% (78 patients) had cystic lesions and 20% (104 patients) had mixed echogenicity lesions. Histological confirmation of malignancy was 10 out of 11 patients with a 91% accuracy rate. FNAB was found to be a highly effective procedure, which can obviate a lot of unnecessary surgery in case of thyroid lesions, and avoid over treatment of benign disease. Surgery was recommended in all suspicious cases. FNAB under ultrasound guidance increases the sensitivity rate which can reach 100%. FNAB accuracy seems to be similar in cold and in hot nodules. Clinically, most of the patients with benign colloid nodules were having goitres suggesting the role played by iodine deficiency is which a prominent feature in that area in Jordan.     

Does Large Needle Aspiration Biopsy Add Pain to the Thyroid Nodule Evaluation?

Thyroid large needle aspiration biopsy is disregarded because it is thought to be associated with pain. This is in contrast with our 32 years long experience. We surveyed reports of pain in patients examined with fine needle aspiration biopsy (78, 87.2% women, mean age 59 years) or FNAB+large needle aspiration biopsy (48, 87.5% women, mean age 60 years). Each patient was questioned regarding a) no unpleasant sensation (score “0”); b) unpleasant sensation (“1”); c) mild pain (no analgesic used; “2”); or d) pain (analgesic used; “3”). The mean size of the needle used was for FNAB 22.3±0.7 or 20.8±1 gauge in the fine needle aspiration or fine needle aspiration plus large needle aspiration biopsy group, respectively (p<.0001). The number of percutaneous punctures was higher in the fine needle aspiration plus large needle aspiration biopsy group. However, the pain score in the fine needle aspiration biopsy or fine needle aspiration biopsy plus large needle aspiration biopsy group was not significantly different. Large needle aspiration biopsy after fine needle aspiration biopsy does not add any discomfort or pain and therefore in light of the demonstrable benefits, should be included in clinical algorithms for the evaluation of thyroid nodules.     

Asymptomatic intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma. Report of a case with a cytologic differential diagnosis including thyroid neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Intrathyroidal parathyroid neoplasms (IPNs) are uncommon tumors with an indolent clinical course. When asymptomatic, they can be incorrectly diagnosed as thyroid neoplasms on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), leading to inappropriate surgical treatment. CASE: A case of unsuspected IPN occurred in which the cytologic picture mimicked that of a thyroid neoplasm. The histologic specimen of the total thyroidectomy showed 2 adjacent intrathyroidal nodules morphologically and immunohistochemically corresponding to a parathyroid adenoma. CONCLUSION: The incidence of IPN remains controversial, especially in asymptomatic patients. On FNAB it is a possible cause of inappropriate surgery for a suspicious thyroid neoplasm (follicular or medullary carcinoma). Immunostaining for parathormone on the cytologic smear is valuable in establishing the correct preoperative diagnosis when the morphologic features are strongly suggestive of IPN.     

VEGF-C Is a Thyroid Marker of Malignancy Superior to VEGF-A in the Differential Diagnostics of Thyroid Lesions

Introduction

Thyroid nodular goiter is one of the most common medical conditions affecting even over a half of adult population. The risk of malignancy is rather small but noticeable–estimated by numerous studies to be about 3–10%. The definite differentiation between benign and malignant ones is a vital issue in endocrine practice. The aim of the current study was to assess the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and VEGF-C on the mRNA level in FNAB washouts in case of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and to evaluate the diagnostic value of these markers of malignancy.

Materials and Methods

Patients undergoing fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in our department between January 2013 and May 2014 were included. In case of all patients who gave the written consent, after ultrasonography (US) and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) performed as routine medical procedure the needle was flushed with RNA Later solution, the washouts were frozen in -80 Celsius degrees. Expression of VEGF-A and VEGF-C and GADPH (reference gene) was assessed in washouts on the mRNA level using the real-time PCR technique. Probes of patients who underwent subsequent thyroidectomy and were diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC; proved by post-surgical histopathology) were analyzed. Similar number of patients with benign cytology were randomly selected to be a control group.

Results

Thirty one DTCs and 28 benign thyroid lesions were analyzed. Expression of VEGF-A was insignificantly higher in patients with DTCs (p = 0.13). Expression of VEGF-C was significantly higher in patients with DTC. The relative expression of VEGF-C (in comparison with GAPDH) was 0.0049 for DTCs and 0.00070 for benign lesions, medians – 0.0036 and 0.000024 respectively (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Measurement of expression VEGF-C on the mRNA level in washouts from FNAB is more useful than more commonly investigated VEGF-A. Measurement of VEGF-C in FNAB washouts do not allow for fully reliable differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and should be interpreted carefully. Further studies on larger groups are indicated. However, measurement of VEGF-C on mRNA level can bring important information without exposing patient for additional risk and invasive procedures.