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 fine needle aspiration cytology processed by ThinPrep: an additional slide decreased the number of inadequate results

E. D. Rossi, F. Morassi, G. Santeusanio, G. F. Zannoni and G. Fadda
Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology processed by ThinPrep: an additional slide decreased the number of inadequate results Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology is the most accurate tool for diagnosing thyroid nodules. Its accuracy is related to the rate of inadequate samples, which can be minimized with the adoption of on‐site assessment of the adequacy of the material. The introduction of liquid‐based cytology (LBC) in the thyroid does not allow checking on the adequacy of the cellularity. The possibility of making a second LBC slide for decreasing the number of non‐diagnostic cases is studied. Methods: Out of 553 cases diagnosed in a single institution from January to March 2005, 166 consecutive cases with an LBC slide reviewed by the same pathologist were evaluated. The cases were classified in a five‐tiered category system (Thy1 to 5 according to the British Thyroid Association guidelines) and all but two (with cystic degeneration) were processed by LBC and stained with Papanicolaou stain. The above‐mentioned categories are defined as follows: Thy1 inadequate or haemorrhagic, Thy2 non‐neoplastic lesion; Thy3 follicular lesion/suspected follicular neoplasm; Thy4 suspicious for malignancy; Thy5 diagnostic of malignancy. For each case the cytological diagnosis was made on the LBC slide and the adequacy of the cellularity for a conclusive diagnosis was assessed. Results: Of the 166 cases, 39 were non‐diagnostic (Thy1—inadequate), ten presented features of cystic degeneration (Thy1—haemorrhagic), 90 were benign (Thy2), 22 were diagnosed as a follicular lesion (Thy3), one as suspicious of malignancy (Thy4) and four as papillary carcinoma (Thy5). Thirty‐nine cases had a second LBC for achieving a definitive diagnosis with eventual re‐classification. Of these cases, 23 (61.5%) led to a conclusive diagnosis (18 Thy2, five Thy3) with a 18.5% decrease of the inadequacy rate. Conclusions: The making of an additional LBC slide helps in achieving a diagnosis in cases classified as non‐diagnostic on the first standard slide (52.1% recovery rate). This procedure is particularly helpful for meeting the adequacy criteria in benign and indeterminate lesions and could also be used for refining the diagnosis of suspicious for a malignant thyroid neoplasm.     

The Diagnostic Value of Calcitonin Measurement in Wash-out Fluid from Fine-Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Nodules in the Diagnosis of Medullary Thyroid Cancer

ObjectiveThe diagnostic value of calcitonin measurement in fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) washout fluid (Ct-FNAB) for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) remains to be determined. This prospective study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of Ct-FNAB in thyroid nodules in comparison with basal serum calcitonin (Ct), pentagas- trin-stimulated Ct (Pg-sCt), and cytology.MethodsAmong patients with goiter addressed with US-FNAB who had an initial clinical suggestion for thyroidectomy, 27 patients with thyroid nodule/s (n = 60) and normal, borderline, or increased Ct fulfilled the criteria for thyroidectomy. All 27 patients (enrolled according to exclusion/inclusion criteria) underwent ultrasonography (US), Ct, Pg-sCt, US-assisted FNAB of each patient’s nodule for both cytology, and Ct-FNAB before thyroidectomy.ResultsCt-FNAB always resulted in >1,000 pg/mL in MTC nodules at histology. For values between 36 and pg/mL, MTCs and nodular or micronodular C-cell hyperplasia (CCH) results overlapped. Most of the nodules without MTC and/or CCH had Ct-FNAB <17 pg/mL. Ct-FNAB diagnostic power was superior to and similar to other diagnostic procedures (Ct, Pg-sCt, and cytology) in identifying both MTC and CCH, and MTC alone, respectively.ConclusionThe diagnostic power of Ct-FNAB is valuable compared with other routine procedures. Ct-FNAB is highly reliable for the early detection and accurate localization of MTC in thyroid nodules, but it does not differentiate between MTC and CCH. Ct-FNAB is an extremely valuable diagnostic tool, especially considering that other diagnostic procedures do not provide a definitive diagnosis, and it can be included in the clinical work-up of thyroid nodules when MTC is suspected. (Endocr Pract. 2013;19:769-779)     

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 Value of Gross Visual Assessment of Specimen Adequacy for Liquid-Based Cytology During Ultrasound-Guided,Fine-Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Nodules

Objective: Major problems of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules arise due to nondiagnostic results caused by inadequately obtained FNA specimens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of visual assessment of liquid-based cytology specimens during FNA of thyroid nodules for predicting sampling adequacy.Methods: For 3 months, visual assessment of FNA specimens was used for 534 consecutive nodules in 534 patients. The FNA specimens were visually graded immediately following aspiration for each nodule, and the visual grades were classified into 2 categories: inadequate (<6 cell groups) and adequate (>6 cell groups). The cytology results were classified as diagnostic or nondiagnostic based on the Bethesda system. We compared the ultrasound features and FNA characteristics between the diagnostic and nondiagnostic results. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors independently predictive of nondiagnostic results. We also evaluated the interobserver agreement regarding the visual assessment.Results: Visual assessment was feasible in all patients, and the nondiagnostic rate was 11.6% (62 of 534). Nondiagnostic results were more frequent in the inadequate visual assessment group (38.1%) than in the adequate visual assessment group (10.5%) (P = .001). Independent predictive factors for nondiagnostic results were inadequate visual assessment (odds ratio, 5.18), >50% vascularity (odds ratio, 3.98), and macrocalcification (odds ratio, 3.60). Interobserver agreement for the prediction of visual assessment was good (κ value, 0.767; P<.001).Conclusion: Immediate visual assessment of a specimen during FNA of a thyroid nodule is a feasible method for predicting sampling adequacy.Abbreviations: FNA = fine-needle aspiration LBC = liquid-based cytology US = ultrasound     

The value of 99mTc-MIBI scan in the detection of malignancy potential of hypermetabolic thyroid incidentalomas of 18F-FDG PET/CT

Aim of the studyIncreasingly use of PET/CT leads to discovery of incidental findings. Hypermetabolic thyroid nodules are one of the unexpected lesions in PET/CT imaging with an increased risk of thyroid cancers. Our study aims to determine the malignant potential of incidentally detected 18F-FDG avid thyroid nodules by using Tc-99m MIBI imaging.Materials and methodsPET/CT scans were performed for nonthyroidal purposes and were evaluated for the presence of hypermetabolic thyroid nodules. Tc-99m MIBI scans and ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies were subsequently performed for all patients.ResultsPrimary thyroid malignancies were identified in 25% of patients with increased focal FDG uptake at definitive diagnosis. Among the patients with FDG avid thyroid nodules, Tc-99m MIBI scan showed true-positive results in all thyroid carcinomas (n:7) with a 36.3% (4/11) false-positivity rate. In three patients with indeterminate cytology results, Tc-99m MIBI scan findings were also negative. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value of Tc-99m MIBI scan in predicting the malignancy of FDG-positive thyroid nodules were 100%, 77%, 63.6%, respectively.ConclusionThe implementation of ^99mTc-MIBI scan performed by dual phase and SPECT/CT modality might be a helpful cost-effective approach in addition to FNAB in patients with ¹⁸F-FDG-positive thyroid nodules and indeterminate cytology to improve the patients’ prognosis and reduce unnecessary thyroid operations with associated use of FNAB.     

超声多技术联合在良恶性甲状腺结节鉴别诊断中的应用价值

摘要 目的：分析超声剪切波弹性成像（SWE）、超声造影（CEUS）、声触诊组织成像及定量（VTIQ）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）多技术联合在甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法：选取宁德市医院甲状腺不确定性质结节患者120例,以病理结果为金标准将其分为良性组和恶性组,分析两组SWE、CEUS、VTIQ各影像参数及术前TSH水平差异,绘制受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）评估上述技术联合对甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别诊断价值。结果：120例患者共检出128个结节,其中良性47个,恶性81个;恶性组SWE中弹性模量值（Emax、Emin、Emean）均大于良性组（P＜0.01）;恶性组、良性组在CEUS中强化差异有显著性（P＜0.05）;VTIQ中恶性组剪切波速度（SWV）最大值、最小值、平均值均大于良性组（P＜0.01）;恶性组患者术前TSH水平高于良性组（P＜0.01）;ROC曲线分析显示,SWE、CEUS、VTIQ、TSH联合检测诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的效能最高,其灵敏度、特异度、准确度、曲线下面积（AUC）分别为85.19%、89.36%、86.72%、0.873。结论：SWE、CEUS、VTIQ、TSH联合对区分甲状腺结节良恶性有较高价值。     

A Retrospective Study of Clinicopathologic Outcomes of Nodules With Hürthle Cell Cytology and the Thyroid Nodule App (TNAPP) Ultrasound Recommendations

ObjectivesHürthle cells are a common finding on thyroid fine-needle aspiration, but when they are the predominant cytology, they represent a difficult diagnostic challenge. The Thyroid Nodule App (TNAPP) is a new, publicly available web application utilizing ultrasound (US) features based on the updated 2016 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists clinical practice guidelines for thyroid nodule management. This pilot study was performed to assess the TNAPP recommendations and surgical pathology outcomes of Hürthle cell-predominant thyroid nodules.MethodsA retrospective review of nodules with Bethesda III (atypia of undetermined significance with Hürthle cells) or Bethesda IV (suspicious for Hürthle cell neoplasm) cytology, for which surgery was performed between 2017 and 2021, was conducted. TNAPP US categories 1, 2, and 3 (low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively) were assigned based on nodule characteristics, and clinical management recommendations were recorded. Results were compared with histology-proven diagnoses.ResultsFifty-nine nodules in 57 patients where surgical pathology was available were analyzed with the TNAPP algorithm. Of the 59 nodules, 4 were US category 1 (low risk/suspicion), 40 were US category 2 (intermediate risk/suspicion), and 15 were US category 3 (high risk/suspicion). All US category 1 nodules were benign, while 30% of the US category 2 and 40% of the US category 3 nodules were malignant. Of the patients who had molecular marker testing with ThyroSeq, 22 out of 29 (76%) were positive, indicating either an intermediate or high risk of malignancy, 7 of which were malignant.ConclusionThis preliminary study suggests that TNAPP is a useful clinical tool for sonographic assessment of thyroid nodules with Hürthle cell cytology.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of lung lesions: a clinicopathological and cytopathological review of 150 cases with emphasis on the relation between the number of passes and the incidence of pneumothorax

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the lung fine needle aspirations (FNA) that were done in our hospital between January 1998 and April 2004. Interobserver agreement, sample adequacy and the relation between the number of passes and the occurrence of pneumothorax are presented. Study design: One hundred fifty cases of lung FNA from the department of pathology files were identified and the available specimens and patient charts were reviewed. The interobserver agreement was calculated. The relation between the number of passes and the subsequent development of pneumothorax was tested using Mann–Whitney U‐test. Results: The material of 132 patients (88%) out of 150 were retrieved and reviewed. There were 85 cases of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (64.4%), nine cases of small cell lung cancer (6.8%), five cases of metastatic cancer (3.8%) and 33 cases were reported negative for cancer (25%). The NSCLC included 36 cases of adenocarcinoma (27.3%), 32 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (24.2%), and 17 cases of large cell undifferentiated carcinoma (12.9%). The interobserver agreement k was 0.93, (95% CI 0.87–0.98). The majority of cases (95.5%) were considered adequate for interpretation. The charts of 138 patients (92%) were reviewed for postprocedure radiologically confirmed pneumothorax. Sixteen patients (11.6%) developed pneumothorax only three of whom (2%) required a chest tube for treatment. The number of passes was identified in 118 patients (85.5%). The number of passes did not have a statistically significant association with the development of a pneumothorax (P = 0.747). Conclusion: Fine needle aspirations to diagnose lung lesions is a safe procedure with a low incidence of pneumothorax. Its findings are reproducible with high interobserver agreement. Immediate adequacy evaluation and triage by a pathologist guarantees adequate sample in most instances. The number of passes was not associated with an increased incidence of pneumothorax.     

CYFRA21-1、MMP-3及CEA 和细胞学联合检查对恶性胸腔积液的诊断价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨细胞角蛋白19片段（CYFRA21-1）、基质金属蛋白酶-3（MMP-3）及癌胚抗原（CEA） 和细胞学联合检查对恶性胸腔积液的诊断价值。方法：选择2020年1月至2023年1月我院接诊的100例胸腔积液患者进行研究,并根据病理结果分为实验组47例（病理检查结果恶性）,对照组53例（病理检查结果良性）,分析血清CYFRA21-1、MMP-3及CEA 和细胞学水平变化情况及其的诊断价值。结果：实验组患者血清血清CYFRA21-1、MMP-3及CEA水平显著高于对照组,差异显著（P＜0.05）;实验组患者CYFRA21-1、MMP-3及CEA 和细胞学阳性率均显著高于对照组,差异显著（P＜0.05）;CYFRA21-1诊断恶性胸腔积液的AUC为0.989,95%CI为0.977~1.000;MMP-3诊断恶性胸腔积液的AUC为0.979,95%CI为0.964~0.994;CEA 诊断恶性胸腔积液的AUC为0.982,95%CI为0.967~0.997;细胞学诊断恶性胸腔积液的AUC为0.823,95%CI为0.766~0.879,联合检测时AUC为0.995,95%CI为0.990~1.000,较单独检测曲线下面积比较显著差异;且特异度、准确度均较单独检测更高。结论：CYFRA21-1、MMP-3及CEA 和细胞学联合检查可有效提高诊断恶性胸腔积液的准确性,临床应用价值高。     

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...     

Evaluation of accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in BI‐RADS3 category breast lesions: cytohistological correlation in 337 cases

C. Engohan‐Aloghe, N. Hottat, J. Cosaert, R. Boutemy, I. Fayt and J.‐C. Noël
Evaluation of accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in BI‐RADS3 category breast lesions: cytohistological correlation in 337 cases Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in BI‐RADS3 breast lesions. Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2007, 337 cases from BI‐RADS3 lesions underwent FNAC. Three to six needle passes were made on each patient. In 67 cases (20%) a histological biopsy was performed. Cytological and histological interpretations were performed by the same pathologist. Results: The histological diagnosis showed that 88% (59/67) of BI‐RADS3 breast lesions were benign. Only 6% (4/67) were malignant, consisting of ductal carcinoma in situ and infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Conclusion: BI‐RADS3 lesions remain disruptive in their management. However, the correlation between cytology and histology showed that most of these lesions were benign and that finally FNAC remains a useful and accurate test in the management of these lesions.     

胸部CT结合AI诊断系统对疑似肺结节患者的诊断及对结节类型的评估价值

摘要 目的：探讨胸部CT结合AI诊断系统对疑似肺结节患者的诊断及对结节类型的评估价值。方法：选取2019年12月-2020年12月在我院进行CT检查的358例疑似肺结节患者,将其按照随机数字表法分为两组：对照组（放射科医生根据CT扫描结果,通过人工阅片分析记录检出结节数量和影像特征）,观察组（将CT扫描结果导入AI辅助诊断系统,经AI运算得到结节检出数量和影像特征）。AI辅助系统IMsight用于肺结节的图像分析和自动检测。通过组织病理学确定结节的良恶性。绘制受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）曲线以评估AI和CT结合图像的诊断价值。结果：病理结果最后确诊结节数量736个,恶性结节139个（18.89 %）,良性结节597个（81.11 %）。观察组诊断结节数量717个,检出率97.42%,对照组诊断出结节数量603个,检出率81.93 %。观察组较对照组的结节检出率、阳性检出率升高（P<0.05）,漏检率和假阴性率均显著降低（P<0.05）。当结节小于10 mm时,观察组较对照组的检出率升高（P<0.05）,观察组较对照组对磨玻璃密度结节和实性结节检出率升高（P<0.05）,观察组较对照组位于胸膜结节检出率升高（P<0.05）。观察组较对照组AUC（P<0.05）,表明AI系统下的结节检出准确率高。ROC曲线显示观察组的敏感性和特异性分别为88.39%和89.68 %,对照组的敏感性和特异性分别为75.24 %和82.34 %,观察组较对照组的ROC曲线敏感性和特异性升高（P<0.05）。结论：AI辅助诊断系统可有效提高肺结节的检出率,减少误检率及漏检率,值得在肺结节CT检测中应用推广。     

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。     

超声引导下18针与20针穿刺活检对甲状腺结节的诊断效果比较

摘要 目的：比较超声引导下18针与20针穿刺活检对甲状腺结节的诊断效果。方法：选取我院超声科2018.8.6-2020.9.30共收治的167例甲状腺结节患者作为研究对象,将患者分为18针穿刺组（n=86）和20针穿刺组（n=81）,分别对两组患者应用超声引导下18针和20针穿刺活检,比较不确定结果的发生率,包括非诊断性或异型性/滤泡性病变的未确定显著性,恶性肿瘤的诊断性能在最终诊断的结节中进行评估。比较两组并发症发生率及超声引导下的核心针穿刺活检标本产率。结果：对比20针穿刺组和18针穿刺组患者的临床特征发现,两组患者性别、年龄、结节大小、结节形状、方位、回声强度、表现和钙化情况对比无明显差异（P＜0.05）;在20针穿刺组中43个结节和18针穿刺组中46个结节最终确诊。恶性结节的比例在两组之间没有显著差异。在最终诊断分析中,20针穿刺组有38个结节,18针穿刺组中有40个结节。在20针穿刺组,38个结节包括6个非诊断结果、18个不典型/滤泡性病变（未确定显著性）和14个滤泡性肿瘤。在18针穿刺组中,40个结节包括1个非诊断结果,22个不典型/滤泡性病变未确定的显著性,17个滤泡性肿瘤;18针穿刺组的未确诊率（包括非诊断结果和未发现显著性的异型性/滤泡性病变）较低（29.1 % vs 37.0 %）,尽管这一差异在统计学上没有显著性（P＞0.05）。然而,18针穿刺组的非诊断性结果发生率（1.2 % vs 8.6 %;P＜0.05）显著低于20针穿刺组。两组的不典型/滤泡性病变的发生率（27.8 % vs 28.4 %）相似。20针穿刺组的CNB显示出更高的敏感性（75.0 % vs 66.7 %）,更高的阴性预测值（NPV;83.9 % vs 75.9 %）和更高的准确率（78.3 % vs 74.4 %）,虽然结果没有达到统计显著性。两组的特异性（81.8 % vs 80.8 %）和阳性预测值（PPV;两者均为100 %）相似;18针穿刺组和20针穿刺组患者的并发症发生率对比无明显差异（P＞0.05）。结论：18针芯针活检对甲状腺结节的诊断较20针更有效,且不增加并发症情况,安全性好,值得临床应用推广。     

Fine Needle Aspiration and Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: The Risk of Inadequate Preoperative Evaluation and Initial Surgery when Relying upon Fnab Cytology Alone

ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to preoperatively diagnose medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) among multiple international centers and evaluate how the cytological diagnosis alone could impact patient management.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of sporadic MTC (sMTC) patients from 12 institutions over the last 29 years. FNAB cytology results were compared to final pathologic diagnoses to calculate FNAB sensitivity. To evaluate the impact of cytology sensitivity for MTC according to current practice and to avoid confounding results by local treatment protocols, changes in treatment patterns over time, and the influence of ancillary findings (e.g., serum calcitonin), therapeutic interventions based on FNAB cytology alone were projected into 1 of 4 treatment categories: total thyroidectomy (TT) and central neck dissection (CND), TT without CND, diagnostic hemithyroidectomy, or observation.ResultsA total of 313 patients from 4 continents and 7 countries were included, 245 of whom underwent FNAB. FNAB cytology revealed MTC in 43.7% and possible MTC in an additional 2.4%. A total of 113 (46.1%) patients with surgical pathology revealing sMTC had FNAB findings that supported TT with CND, while 37 (15.1%) supported TT alone. In the remaining cases, diagnostic hemithyroidectomy and observation were projected in 32.7% and 6.1%, respectively.ConclusionFNAB is an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of thyroid nodules, but the low sensitivity of cytological evaluation alone in sMTC limits its ability to command an optimal preoperative evaluation and initial surgery in over half of affected patients. (Endocr Pract. 2013;19:920-927)     

Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Thyroid Nodules: Comparison of Diagnostic Performance of Experienced and Inexperienced Physicians

ObjectiveTo determine whether a difference exists in terms of obtaining adequate cytologic samples from ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) between experienced and inexperienced physicians in a tertiary referral center.MethodsIn a prospective design, all patients with thyroid nodules of at least 10 mm in diameter were referred for US-FNAC tissue sampling as a part of their diagnostic work-up. Between May 2006 and September 2009, 997 euthyroid patients with 1, 320 thyroid nodules were referred for US-FNAC by the attending endocrinologist (experienced physician) or 1 of 2 endocrinology fellows (inexperienced physicians).ResultsOf the 1, 320 nodules, 713 biopsy specimens were obtained by the experienced physician and 607 were obtained by the inexperienced physicians. Nodule size was significantly larger in the endocrinologist’s group of patients than in the fellows’ group of patients (17 mm versus 14 mm, respectively; P < .001). The inadequacy rate of the US-FNAC procedures performed by the experienced physician (22 of 713 thyroid nodules or 3.1%) was significantly lower than for those performed by the inexperienced physicians (102 of 607 thyroid nodules or 16.8%) (P < .001).ConclusionWe conclude that, with increasing operator experience, the number of inadequate cytologic specimens generated by US-FNAC procedures is substantially reduced. This limits both direct and indirect costs and also minimizes the risks of possibly unnecessary surgical procedures. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:986-991)     

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。     

Assay of Free Thyroxine and Free Triiodothyronine in Fine-Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Nodules: a Useful and Low-Cost Assessment

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether analysis of thyroid hormones in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules can provide information about the functional status and the nature of the nodules.MethodsWe studied 4 groups of patients: group 1, 17 patients with autonomous hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules; group 2, 52 patients with cold nonfunctioning thyroid nodules; group 3, 12 patients with malignant thyroid nodules; and group 4 (control group), 10 patients with nonthyroid nodular lesions (enlarged parathyroid glands or lymph nodes). The assay of thyroid hormones was performed in FNA after the washing of needles and, with patient consent, also in normal thyroid parenchyma.ResultsThe free thyroxine (FT₄) and free triiodothyronine (FT₃) values were remarkably high in group 1 (mean, 5.5 ± 0.53 ng/dL and 27.6 ± 3.1 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.05 versus group 2 and group 4, the control group). The levels of FT₄ and FT₃ were very low in group 3 (< 0.2 ng/dL and < 1.0 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.05 versus group 2). Thyroglobulin values in FNA specimens were much higher than the normal range in human serum, but no significant differences were found between the various groups. The control group had low levels of FT₄ and FT₃ (< 0.2 ng/dL and < 1.0 pg/mL, respectively) in conjunction with low levels of thyroglobulin, whereas parathyroid hormone levels were high in parathyroid nodules.ConclusionThese results show that assay of FT₄ and FT₃ in FNA can yield information about the functional status of thyroid nodules and, indirectly, about the nature of nodules. In this era of sophisticated new molecular markers in FNA cytology, this low-cost diagnostic method can be readily performed in every laboratory. (Endocr Pract. 2004;10:311-316)