Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy as a Preoperative Procedure in Patients with Malignancy in Solitary and Multiple Thyroid Nodules

Background

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a recognized technique for the basic, preoperative cytological diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Aim of the Study

To analyze the accuracy of FNAB in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer in patients with solitary and multiple thyroid nodules and to compare the demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with thyroid carcinoma in solitary and multiple tumors.

Materials and Methods

The case records of 2,403 patients with solitary and multiple thyroid tumors treated consecutively between 2008 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. We selected 1,645 for further analysis. A solitary thyroid nodule was observed in 493 patients, and multiple nodules were detected in 1,152 patients. Further classification of the patients in these two groups was performed on the basis of the FNAB results, type of surgery performed and histopathology. TC was histopathologically confirmed in 166 patients, and benign disease was found in 1,479. The TC patients were assigned to the study group, and those with benign thyroid disease were placed into the control group. The study group was divided into two subgroups according to the presence of cancer in a single thyroid nodule or in multiple nodules. Malignancy in a solitary thyroid nodule was diagnosed in 98 (59.0%) patients, and cancer in multiple nodules was diagnosed in 68 (41.0%). Comparative analyses of the demographic, clinical and histopathological characteristics were performed for both subgroups. The following statistical analyses were performed: comparative characteristic of subgroups, ROC analysis for study group and subgroup of patients, and multivariable logistic regression analysis for study group.

Results

The rate of prediction of TC by FNAB was three times higher in the patients with a solitary thyroid nodule compared with those with multiple thyroid nodules and it was statistically significant (p<0.001). The rate of total thyroid resection and lack of necessity for reoperation were also significantly higher in the TC patients with a solitary nodule. The histopathological results showed that significantly more patients with a solitary nodule had advanced-stage TC (stage III or IV) and tumor progression (pT3 or pT4) (p = 0.002 for both). ROC analysis demonstrated that the overall accuracy of FNAB as a predictor of thyroid cancer presence was high, especially for the subgroup of patients with a solitary thyroid nodule (AUC = 0.958, p<0.0001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed that a positive FNAB result was the sole predictor of the performance of total resection in the TC study group (p<0.0001), while a negative FNAB result and the presence of a papillary cancer type were independent predictors of the risk of reoperation (p<0.0001 and p = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusions

FNAB often produces false-negative results in patients with multiple malignant thyroid tumors, which results in reoperation in many cases. False-negative FNAB results are rare in patients with a solitary tumor. Because of the low predictive capacity of FNAB for thyroid cancer in patients with multiple thyroid tumors, total thyroid excision should be considered in most cases despite a "negative" (no malignant) FNAB result.     

Ultrasonographic and scintigraphic studies of "hot" autonomic thyroid nodules

Scintigraphic and gammagraphic (gamma-camera) techniques have been applied in diagnosing "hot" non-TSH dependent thyroid nodules. On the basis of frequent uneven accumulation of isotopic tracer observed in scintigraphic studies it was concluded that the structure of these nodules is heterogeneous. In some cases paradoxical patterns have been obtained following the dynamic tests of suppression and stimulation of the thyroid: after the administration of thyroid preparations paranodular thyroid tissue appears, while TSH administration causes an increase in the iodine uptake by the nodule. Ultrasonographic and gamma-camera studies have been carried out in 50 cases of "hot" autonomic thyroid nodules previously diagnosed by scintigraphy. Ultrasonographic studies revealed a weaker echogenicity in some cases and an intensified echo in the other. Sometimes by using this technique it was possible to demonstrate the occurrence of heterogeneous structures suggesting a cystic degeneration of the nodule. Paranodular thyroid tissue, invisible in scintigraphic scanning, could usually be observed by applying gamma-camera. It was concluded that both gamma camera and ultrasonographic studies confirm heterogeneous structure of intranodular tissue producing paradoxical patterns in scintigraphic scanning, with the latter technique usually aiding the detection of paranodular thyroid tissue without the necessity of application of the TSH test.     

超声检查联合MMP-2、MMP-9水平检测对甲状腺癌的诊断价值

目的:探讨超声检查联合基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)水平检测对甲状腺癌的诊断价值。方法:选取2014年6月-2016年6月我院收治的480例甲状腺结节患者作为研究对象,根据患者病情分为良性结节患者412例(良性结节组)和甲状腺癌患者68例(甲状腺癌组)。对所有患者进行超声检查与MMP-2、MMP-9水平检测,比较两组MMP-2、MMP-9水平,并比较超声检查与超声联合MMP-2、MMP-9水平检测对甲状腺癌的诊断价值。结果:甲状腺癌组MMP-2、MMP-9水平均显著高于良性结节组(P0.05),且甲状腺癌组超声弹性图像评分多为3~4分,良性结节组则多为0~2分,两组超声弹性成像评分所占比例比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);超声联合MMP-2、MMP-9诊断良性甲状腺结节的阴性率和甲状腺癌的阳性率均高于超声诊断,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);超声联合MMP-2、MMP-9的灵敏性、特异性、准确性分别为89.7%、85.2%、85.8%,均显著高于超声诊断的76.5%、68.7%、69.8%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:超声检查联合MMP-2、MMP-9水平检测能够有效鉴别甲状腺癌,其灵敏性、特异性、准确性均较高,值得在临床上推广。     

The incidence of carcinoma in solitary "cold" thyroid nodules

Two hundred and three patients with single thyroid nodules were referred for radioactive scan of the thyroid. Solitary “cold” nodules were identified in 130 patients and 68 of these patients came to surgery. Of this group, 12 patients were found to have carcinoma. There was no obvious selection process which distinguished the 68 patients who underwent surgery from the 62 who did not. There is a significant risk of thyroid neoplasms occurring in patients with solitary “cold” nodules, and this is particularly true in patients under forty.     

Benign and Malignant Nodular Thyroid Disease in Acromegaly. Is a Routine Thyroid Ultrasound Evaluation Advisable?

Data on the prevalence of benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease in patients with acromegaly is a matter of debate. In the last decade an increasing incidence of thyroid cancer has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of goiter, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer in a large series of patients with acromegaly with a cross-sectional study with a control group. Six Spanish university hospitals participated. One hundred and twenty three patients (50% men; mean age 59±13 years; disease duration 6.7±7.2 years) and 50 controls (51% males, mean age 58±15 years) were studied. All participants underwent thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration. Cytological analysis was performed in suspicious nodules between 0.5 and 1.0 cm and in all nodules greater than 1.0 cm. Goiter was more frequently found in patients than in controls (24.9 vs. 8.3%, respectively; p<0.001). Nodular thyroid disease as well as nodules greater than 1 cm were also more prevalent in acromegalic patients (64.6%, vs. 28.6%, p<0.05 and 53.3 vs. 28.6%, respectively; p<0.05), and all underwent fine needle aspiration. Suspicious cytology was detected in 4 patients and in none of the controls. After thyroidectomy, papillary thyroid carcinoma was confirmed in two cases (3.3% of patients with thyroid nodules), representing 1.6% of the entire group of patients with acromegaly (2.4% including a case with previously diagnosed papillary thyroid carcinoma). These data indicated that thyroid nodular disease and cancer are increased in acromegaly, thus justifying its routine ultrasound screening.     

Cytologic features of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the cytologic characteristics of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in cervical lymph nodes and the differences in cervical lymph nodes from those of stage I (intrathyroidal) PTC. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-seven cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis (group A) and 38 cases of intrathyroidal papillary carcinoma (group B) were included in this study. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) examination was performed on enlarged cervical lymph nodes (47 cases, group A) and enlarged thyroid nodules (13 cases, group A, and 38 cases, group B). All the cases were surgically excised and pathologically verified. The cytologic smears were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The cytologic characteristics of metastatic PTC in cervical lymph nodes displayed a higher frequency of foamy macrophages (51.1% vs. 26.3%) and a lower frequency of distinct cell borders (38.3% vs. 71.1%) than those of stage I PTC. Metastatic PTC in cervical lymph nodes also had a higher frequency of cystic degeneration (44.7% vs. 5.3%) than intrathyroidal lesions. In 1 of the 47 cases with lymph node metastasis, the aspirate contained macrophages but no tumor cells. CONCLUSION: FNAC was useful in the diagnosis of metastatic PTC in cervical lymph nodes. However, because cystic degeneration appeared frequently, FNAC combined with thyroid ultrasonography to find the primary lesion is necessary in this situation.     

ProGRP as a Novel Biomarker for the Differential Diagnosis of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in Patients with Thyroid Nodules

Objective: To investigate the release of progastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) in patients with thyroid nodules and the value of ProGRP in fine-needle aspirate washout fluid (FNA-ProGRP) in the differential diagnosis between medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and non-MTC thyroid nodules.Methods: We investigated 2,446 healthy persons and 212 patients with 235 thyroid nodules. They were classified into healthy, nodular goiter, chronic thyroiditis, thyroid follicular neoplasm, papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, and medullary thyroid carcinoma. The serum ProGRP and FNA-ProGRP were measured.Results: The serum ProGRP median concentration in MTC was 124.40 pg/mL, significantly higher than in other groups. The cutoff value of serum ProGRP was 68.30 pg/mL, leading to 53.85% sensitivity, 96.98% specificity, and 0.51 kappa value in MTC. The FNA-ProGRP median concentration in MTC nodules was 2,096.00 pg/mL, significantly higher than in other groups. A receiver operating characteristic analysis of MTC nodules and non-MTC nodules indicated that the cutoff value was 22.77 pg/mL, leading to 94.12% sensitivity, 98.27% specificity, and 0.85 kappa value.Conclusion: FNA-ProGRP measurement could be served as an ancillary method for the differential diagnosis between MTC and non-MTC thyroid nodules.Abbreviations: CEA = carcinoembryonic antigen; CT = calcitonin; FNAC = fine-needle aspiration cytology; FNA-CT = calcitonin in fine-needle aspirate washout fluid; FNA-ProGRP = ProGRP in fine-needle aspirate washout fluid; MTC = medullary thyroid carcinoma; ProGRP = progastrin-releasing peptide; SCLC = small-cell lung cancer; TM = tumor marker     

The impact of the non‐invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear feature terminology in the routine diagnosis of thyroid tumours

Background

Due to the recent proposal of the non‐invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear feature (NIFTP) category, the authors analyse the state of the art in the challenging diagnosis of follicular thyroid neoplasms in routine practice.

Methods and results

A consecutive series of 200 histological diagnoses, with complete cytological correlation, was analysed following the introduction of the NIFTP definition. The study was conducted in a general hospital with a high prevalence of thyroid benign nodules that accounted for approximately 60% of surgically‐treated nodules. The significant incidence of the new NIFTP category was 7%. Concurrently, a gradual decrease of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (fvPTC) was observed (3.5%). When evaluating the FNA biopsies within the NIFTP group, despite the systematic evaluation of nuclear crowding, enlargement, irregularities and clearing, the final cytological class was often indeterminate for malignancy (Thy3/III‐IV, 71%). At histology, the application of the semiquantitative NIFTP score for the evaluation of the PTC‐like nuclear features was able to discriminate benign lesions (score 0/1) from fvPTC (score 2/3). A certain degree of overlapping still persisted between NIFTP and fvPTC (score 2) or between NIFTP and benign lesions (score 1).

Conclusions

In the routine evaluation of FNA biopsies, the presence of subtle and questionable PTC‐like nuclear features still remains a controversial aspect of the diagnostic workflow. Given that the NIFTP category was introduced to stratify the low‐risk group of thyroid tumours more precisely, pathologists should force themselves to apply the nuclear score rigorously and to classify cases assigned a score of 1 as benign proliferations.

     

External Validation of a Nomogram That Predicts the Pathological Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules in a Chinese Population

Introduction

Nomograms are statistical predictive models that can provide the probability of a clinical event. Nomograms have better performance for the estimation of individual risks because of their increased accuracy and objectivity relative to physicians’ personal experiences. Recently, a nomogram for predicting the likelihood that a thyroid nodule is malignant was introduced by Nixon. The aim of this study was to determine whether Nixon’s nomogram can be validated in a Chinese population.

Materials and Methods

All consecutive patients with thyroid nodules who underwent surgery between January and June 2012 in our hospital were enrolled to validate Nixon’s nomogram. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the risk factors for thyroid carcinoma. Discrimination and calibration were employed to evaluate the performance of Nixon’s model in our population.

Results

A total of 348 consecutive patients with 409 thyroid nodules were enrolled. Thyroid ultrasonographic characteristics, including shape, echo texture, calcification, margins, vascularity and number (solitary vs. multiple nodules), were associated with malignance in the multivariate analysis. The discrimination of all nodules group, the group with a low risk of malignancy (predictive proportion <50%) and the group with a high risk of malignancy (predictive proportion ≥50%) using Nixon’s nomogram was satisfactory, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the three groups were 0.87, 0.75 and 0.72, respectively. However, the calibration was significant (p = 0.55) only in the high-risk group.

Conclusion

Nixon’s nomogram is a valuable predictive model for the Chinese population and has been externally validated. It has good performance for patients with a high risk of malignancy and may be more suitable for use with these patients in China.     

Fine-needle biopsy in the early diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms

Among the patients directed to the Department of Endocrinology of the Institute of Internal Medicine for diagnostic examinations of the thyroid, 726 (647 women and 79 men, of age between 16 and 79 years) were qualified to surgery after scintigraphic detection of cold nodules. From this group, 474 patients had thin-needle biopsy specimens taken for cytologic examination. The results of the latter examinations have been compared with those of histologic examination performed on the tissue removed during surgery. The occurrence of a malignant tumor (in 99.1%--thyroid cancer) was found in 108 patients (22.8%) from the group having thin-needle biopsy performed. Comparison of the results of cytologic examination with those of postoperative histologic examination demonstrated low sensitivity of biopsy examination (50.0%), as opposed to high specificity (96.2%) and high accuracy (85, 3%). Analysis of the false-negative results (54/108) revealed that the main causes of errors are difficulties in differentiation of adenoma from follicular carcinoma. Widening of the indications to surgery by a group of patients with adenoma will increase sensitivity to 84.8% and will require including into the operated group of about 50% of patients with scintigraphically diagnosed cold nodules: The introduction of the new term: "urgent strumectomy", has been proposed; also a diagnostic algorithm, useful for early diagnosis of malignant tumors of the thyroid, has been discussed.     

超声造影在甲状腺结节鉴别诊断及良性结节微波消融治疗中的应用价值

摘要 目的：研究超声造影在甲状腺结节鉴别诊断及良性结节微波消融治疗中的应用价值。方法：选取2015年1月～2018年2月我院收治的甲状腺结节患者100例作为研究对象,所有纳入对象均进行超声造影检查,分析甲状腺结节的超声造影特征,并与病理诊断结果进行对照。此外,将甲状腺良性结节患者以随机抽签法分成超声造影组31例和常规超声组30例。超声造影组微波消融治疗前后均予以超声造影配合,常规超声组微波消融治疗前后均予以常规超声配合。比较两组治疗前后甲状腺结节造影情况以及术后1年结节复发情况。结果：甲状腺恶性结节增强强度为低增强、增强模式为不均匀、无环绕增强占比均高于良性结节（均P＜0.05）。以病理诊断为金标准,超声造影诊断恶性甲状腺结节的灵敏度为92.31%、特异度为78.69%、准确度为84.00%。治疗后超声造影组甲状腺结节最长径、体积均低于常规超声组（均P＜0.05）。超声造影组术后1年结节复发率为0.00%,低于常规超声组的16.67%（P＜0.05）。结论：超声造影应用于甲状腺结节鉴别诊断的价值较高,且结合微波消融治疗良性结节的效果明显,预后理想,值得临床推广应用。     

The role of fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology in the evaluation of the clinically solitary thyroid nodule

The imputation that a clinically solitary nodule is a suspicious sign of carcinoma has been the cause of too many surgical procedures as well as the subject of much controversy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy cytology in diagnosing the uninodular goiters in 286 patients who presented with clinically solitary nodules. The final diagnoses in these cases included carcinoma (4.7%), adenoma (6.3%), autonomous nodule (11.0%), colloid goiter (45.8%), colloid cyst (17.4%) and chronic thyroiditis (13.4%). The proportion of patients with cancer in this group was the same as in patients with multinodular and diffuse goiters. These findings call attention to (1) the fact that any thyroid disease may appear as a uninodular goiter and (2) the frequency with which lymphocytic thyroiditis was cytologically diagnosed, even in cases with negative antibody titers. The cytologic diagnosis of benign disease has contributed to a reduction in the number of unnecessary surgical procedures; only 24.1% of our patients with uninodular goiters underwent surgery.     

超声造影定量参数联合血清TSH、Tg、外周血NLR在甲状腺结节良恶性诊断中的应用价值

摘要 目的：探讨超声造影定量参数联合血清促甲状腺激素（TSH）、甲状腺球蛋白（Tg）、外周血中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）在甲状腺结节良恶性诊断中的应用价值。方法：选取2020年7月到2022年5月我院收治的80例甲状腺结节患者,根据病理学检查结果将其分为良性组(53例）和恶性组（27例）。所有甲状腺结节患者均行甲状腺超声造影并记录定量参数,检测血清TSH、Tg水平,计算NLR。以术后病理结果为准,采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析超声造影定量参数、血清TSH、Tg及NLR鉴别诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的价值。结果：经组织病理学确诊恶性甲状腺结节27例,良性甲状腺结节53例。恶性组超声造影定量参数平均渡越时间(mTT)、曲线下面积（AUCceus）低于良性组（P＜0.05）,血清TSH、Tg水平及NLR均高于良性组（P＜0.05）。超声造影定量参数mTT、AUCceus联合血清TSH、Tg及NLR鉴别诊断良恶性甲状腺结节的曲线下面积高于以上五项指标单独诊断。结论：恶性甲状腺结节患者超声造影定量参数mTT、AUCceus降低,且血清TSH、Tg水平及NLR增高,超声造影定量参数mTT、AUCceus联合血清TSH、Tg及NLR可提高鉴别诊断良恶性甲状腺结节的效能。     

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.     

Prognosis of Thyroid Nodules in Individuals Living in the Zhitomir Region of Ukraine

Objective

After the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP), the incidence of thyroid cancer increased among children. Recently, a strong relationship between solid thyroid nodules and the incidence of thyroid cancer was shown in atomic bomb survivors. To assess the prognosis of benign thyroid nodules in individuals living in the Zhitomir region of Ukraine, around the CNPP, we conducted a follow-up investigation of screening data from 1991 to 2000 in the Ukraine.

Patients and Methods

Participants of this study were 160 inhabitants with thyroid nodules (nodule group) and 160 inhabitants without thyroid nodules (normal control group) intially identified by ultrasonography from 1991 to 2000. All participants were aged 0 to 10 years old and lived in the same area at the time of the accident. We performed follow-up screening of participants and assessed thyroid nodules by fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Results

Among the nodule group participants, the number and size of nodules were significantly increased at the follow-up screening compared with the initial screening. No thyroid nodules were observed among the normal control group participants. The prevalence of thyroid abnormality, especially nodules that could be cancerous (malignant or suspicious by fine needle aspiration biopsy), was 7.5% in the nodule group and 0% in the normal control group (P<0.001).

Conclusions

Our study indicated that a thyroid nodule in childhood is a prognostic factor associated with an increase in the number and size of nodules in individuals living in the Zhitomir region of Ukraine.     

Clinicopathologic analysis of fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid. A review of 1,613 cases and correlation with histopathologic diagnoses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid lesions at our institution and to ascertain its usefulness in determining the therapeutic approach. STUDY DESIGN: The authors reviewed the results of 1,613 cases of FNA cytology of thyroid nodules performed from 1999 to 2001 at the Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Hospital. Cytologic diagnoses were compared with histologic diagnoses in 207 cases that included both FNA and thyroid surgery. RESULTS: The sensitivity for the detection of neoplasms (carcinoma and follicular adenoma) was 78.4% and the specificity 98.2%. A false positive diagnosis was made in 1 case (1.8%) and false negative ones in 28 cases (21.5%). The diagnostic accuracy was 84.4%, with a positive predictive value of 99.0% and negative predictive value of 66.3%. The predictive value of a cytologic diagnosis was 100% in papillary carcinoma. CONCLUSION: FNA is a useful test in determining the therapeutic approach of thyroid lesions.     

Thyroid Cytology and Risk of Thyroid Cancer: Differences Among Indeterminate Specimens

ObjectiveTo assess the potential for stratification of indeterminate cytologic findings on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules in an effort to improve therapeutic strategies.MethodsWe attempted to determine the malignant risk associated with various indeterminate FNA cytologic patterns by correlation of specimens with the final histologic diagnosis. For this analysis, we identified 294 computerized medical records of surgically treated thyroid nodules during a 5-year period at our institution with the corresponding FNA cytology reports available.ResultsOf the 294 surgical cases, 162 with a positive or indeterminate cytologic report were selected, reviewed, and classified. Of 52 patients with positive cytologic findings on FNA, 51 (98%) had a final histologic report of a malignant thyroid nodule. Of 110 patients with indeterminate specimens, 30 (27%) had a final histologic diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. The presence of nuclear atypia was predictive of thyroid carcinoma in 75% of patients, a Hürthle cell cytologic pattern was associated with a malignant thyroid nodule in 33%, and a hypercellular smear was suggestive of malignant involvement in 26% of cases. The lowest rate of malignant potential was associated with cytologic microfollicular and scant colloid alone subtype (6%).ConclusionThe results of this study show that indeterminate thyroid cytologic specimens can be subdivided into groups with different malignant risks. A microfollicular cytologic pattern in the absence of a hypercellular smear or nuclear atypia does not support a recommendation of surgical treatment. A malignant cytologic diagnosis has a high positive predictive value for detection of thyroid cancer. (Endocr Pract. 2004;10:330-334)     

甲状腺球蛋白及抗体测定在结节性甲状腺肿与甲状腺癌鉴别诊断中的意义

目的:对结节性甲状腺肿患者和甲状腺癌患者术前的甲状腺球蛋白(TG)、抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TG-Ab)水平进行回顾性分析,并对TG、TG-Ab水平在结节性甲状腺肿、甲状腺癌诊断中的意义进行研究。方法:分别选取2011年1月-2013年12月我院收治的结节性甲状腺肿患者、甲状腺癌患者和正常健康者各60例作为本研究的观察对象,对三组观察对象TG、TG-Ab水平进行比较分析。结果:结节性甲状腺肿组、健康组患者TG阳性率分别为6.67%、8.33%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者TG-Ab阳性率则分别为8.33%和11.67%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。而甲状腺癌组患者TG、TG-Ab阳性率分别为33.33%、40.00%,与其他两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。在结节性甲状腺肿患者中,其中结节液化型TG阳性率、TG-Ab阳性率明显高于非结节液化型,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。在甲状腺癌患者中,其中颈部淋巴结阳性者TG阳性率、TG-Ab阳性率明显高于颈部淋巴结阴性者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);单结节癌灶与多结节癌灶在TG阳性率、TG-Ab阳性率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:临床上采用TG、TG-Ab阳性率测定的方法对甲状腺肿、甲状腺癌进行鉴别和确诊是比较可靠的,值得推广应用。     

甲状腺癌超声弹性成像定量参数与叉头盒A1、Yes相关蛋白的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨甲状腺癌患者的超声弹性成像（UE）定量参数及其与叉头盒A1（FOXA1）、Yes相关蛋白（YAP）的相关性。方法：选择2019年3月-2020年10月于本院就诊的142例甲状腺结节患者的临床资料,所有患者均为单发甲状腺结节,根据病理结果分为恶性组（72例,72个甲状腺结节）与良性组（70例,70个甲状腺结节）,所有患者行UE检查、组织活检。比较恶性组与良性组的弹性评分、应变率比值（SR）的差异,并分析恶性组的弹性评分、SR值与FOXA1、YAP的相关性。结果：恶性组的弹性评分、SR值显著高于良性组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。恶性组FOXA1、YAP表达显著高于良性组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。恶性组的弹性评分、SR值与FOXA1、YAP表达呈正相关（P<0.05）。结论：甲状腺结节恶性组与良性组的弹性评分、SR值及FOXA1、YAP表达的差异显著,且恶性组的弹性评分、SR值与其FOXA1、YAP表达呈正相关,UE定量参数在一定程度上可反映甲状腺癌患者的恶性的生物学行为。