Unusual Case of Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis “Illicit” use of a Technetium Scan to Diagnose a Transiently Toxic Thyroid Nodule

ObjectiveTo present an unusual case of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) associated with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule, which was detected by means of a technetium scan; review the existing literature regarding the association of AIT with autonomous thyroid nodules; and explore the use of radioisotope imaging studies in patients with AIT.MethodsWe describe a 62-year-old man with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, receiving long-term amiodarone therapy, who was referred by his cardiologist for evaluation of abnormal thyroid function tests. He was found to have an unusual case of AIT, associated with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule.ResultsThyroid function studies obtained by the patient’s cardiologist had shown a completely suppressed thyrotropin level and a free thyroxine level of 3.5 ng/dL. A 24-hour thyroid iodine 123 uptake and technetium Tc 99m pertechnetate scan revealed a “single, strong focus in the right thyroid lobe, with the rest of the thyroid gland...not well visualized.” Thyroid ultrasonography disclosed a single, well-defined 1.5-cm solid nodule. Repeated thyroid function studies revealed a normal thyrotropin level of 2.87 μIU/mL and a normal free thyroxine level of 2.4 ng/dL. The patient was managed conservatively with follow-up surveillance.ConclusionProspective studies should be performed to better ascertain the value of Tc 99m thyroid scanning in determining the cause of AIT. Until such studies have been completed, we suggest that nuclear studies are unlikely to be cost-effective for assessing all patients with AIT. One logical strategy would be to gain experience with scans in only those patients with known thyroid nodules, which have been detected during physical examination or by ultrasonography. The potential clinical utility of such an approach would be of considerable interest. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:413-416)     

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。     

Solitary thyroid nodules in 93 children and adolescents. a 35-years experience

Over a period of 35 years from 1963 to 1998, 93 patients under the age of 18 years, 74 girls and 19 boys, were seen for evaluation of a solitary nodule of the thyroid gland. All patients had preoperative scintiscans of the thyroid gland and had their solitary nodule excised. Seventy-seven of the patients had a cold nodule on scintiscanning. The most common cause of solitary thyroid nodules was follicuar adenoma (68.9%). Fifteen of the 77 cold nodules were malignant (19.9%). The frequency of carcinoma in males was 26.3%, while in females it was 13.5%. Our experience suggests that the incidence of thyroid carcinoma may be decreasing in pediatric patients not exposed to known risk factors. Available diagnostic methods for attempting differentiation of benign from malignant solitary nodules are reviewed and recommendations to the clinical management are presented.     

A case of Graves' disease associated with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN) (Marine-Lenhalt syndrome) which spontaneously became a cold nodule

We report a 31-year-old female with Graves' disease associated with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN) (Marine-Lenhalt syndrome) in which the AFTN spontaneously became a cold nodule. Initially the patient was thyrotoxic and had diffuse goiter with an elevated radioiodine uptake. She became euthyroid following six months of antithyroid drug therapy, and in addition to diffuse goiter, the solitary hot nodule was palpable in the left lobe. Fourteen months later, hyperthyroidism recurred and the thyroid scan revealed diffuse radioiodine uptake with a cold area in the nodular region. The resected nodule showed extensive degeneration and the histological diagnosis was follicular adenoma with Graves' disease. We discussed the significance of recognizing the syndrome and also compared the frequency of spontaneous degeneration in AFTN and in solitary cold nodules.     

Thyroid cancer in patients with hyperthyroidism

Thyroid cancer can be associated with thyrotoxicosis caused by Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goiter, or autonomously functioning thyroid adenoma. The objective of this study was to summarize current evidence regarding the association of thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism, particularly with respect to the type of hyperthyroidism found in some patients, and whether this affects the outcome of the patient. A PubMed search was performed up to August 2011. Articles were identified using combinations of the following keywords/phrases: thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, auto-nomous adenoma, toxic thyroid nodule, and toxic multinodular goiter. Original research papers, case reports, and review articles were included. We concluded that the incidence, as well as the prognosis of thyroid cancer associated with hyperthyroidism is a matter of debate. It seems that Graves' disease is associated with larger, multifocal, and potentially more aggressive thyroid cancer than single hot nodules or multinodular toxic goiter. Patients with Graves' and thyroid nodules are at higher risk to develop thyroid cancer compared to patients with diffuse goiter. Every suspicious nodule associated with hyperthyroidism should be evaluated carefully.     

The Ultrasonic Evaluation of Nonfunctioning Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid echography was carried out on 100 patients with thyroid abnormalities to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in differentiating simple thyroid cysts from solid thyroid nodules.In all 46 proven cases, the ultrasonic diagnosis of the solid or cystic nature of thyroid nodules was correct.A proposed diagnostic workup of a hypofunctioning (cold) thyroid nodule is suggested with primary needle aspiration and cytologic examination of the cyst fluid being recommended if the nodule is shown to be entirely cystic by ultrasound.     

健康体检人群甲状腺结节多普勒超声检查结果及影响因素分析

目的:研究健康体检人群甲状腺结节多普勒超声检查结果及影响因素。方法:将从2018年1月~2019年12月,于医院接受体检的健康体检人员5270例纳入研究,对所有受试者均进行多普勒超声检查,分析超声检查结果和体检人群基线资料的关系,分析甲状腺结节多普勒超声特征。采用单因素以及多因素Logistic回归分析健康体检人群甲状腺结节的影响因素。结果:在5270例健康体检人群中,甲状腺结节检出率为51.86%(2733/5270),女性甲状腺结节检出率为52.83%(2355/4458),高于男性的46.55%(378/812),且随着年龄的不断增长,健康体检人群甲状腺结节检出率呈逐渐升高趋势(均P<0.05)。甲状腺结节患者的多普勒超声检查特征以低回声以及结节直径<2 cm为主(均P<0.05),但是结节数目以及病变部位比较无明显差异(均P>0.05)。经单因素分析发现:吸烟、甲状腺疾病家族史、高血压及糖尿病的健康体检人员甲状腺结节检出率高于不吸烟、无甲状腺疾病家族史、无高血压及无糖尿病的健康体检人员(均P<0.05),而不同民族、受教育年限、体质量指数(BMI)、是否饮酒的健康体检人员甲状腺结节检出率比较无统计学差异(均P>0.05)。经多因素Logistic回归分析发现:女性、年龄、吸烟、甲状腺疾病家族史、高血压及糖尿病均是健康体检人群甲状腺结节发生的独立危险因素(均OR>1,P<0.05)。结论:甲状腺结节多普勒超声检查特征以低回声以及结节直径≤2 cm为主,其影响因素包括年龄、性别、吸烟、甲状腺疾病家族史、高血压及糖尿病,值得临床重点关注。     

Overview of Molecular Biomarkers for Enhancing the Management of Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer

ObjectiveTo provide information on molecular bio markers that can help assess cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.MethodsPublished studies on immunohistologic, somatic mutation, gene expression classifier, microRNA, and thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA biomarkers are reviewed, and commercially available molecular test pan els are described.ResultsThyroid nodules are common, and clinical guidelines delineate an algorithmic approach including serum thyroid-stimulating hormone measurement, diagnostic ultrasound examination, and, when appropriate, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy for determination of a benign versus malignant status. In clinical practice, approximately 20% of FNA-derived cytology reports are classified as “indeterminate” or follicular nodules that do not fulfill either benign or malignant criteria. In this set ting, the actual risk for malignancy of a cytologically indeterminate nodule ranges from approximately 15% to 34%. Research describing molecular biomarkers from thyroid cancer tissue has been applied to FNA-derived thyroid nodule material. There is also a serum molecular marker that has been reported with goals similar to those for the FNA-derived molecular markers: to enhance the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer and reduce the large number of patients who have a diagnostic surgical procedure for benign thyroid nodules.ConclusionProgress toward the foregoing goals has been made and continues to evolve with the recent appearance of molecular biomarker tests that can be selectively applied for further assessment of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:611-615)     

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。     

Destructive Thyroiditis Followed by Hypothyroidism Associated with Infliximab Therapy

ObjectiveTo present the rare case of a patient who developed destructive thyroiditis accompanied by transient thyrotoxicosis resulting from infliximab therapy for the treatment of psoriasis.MethodsThe clinical presentation and management of a case with infliximab-associated thyroiditis is described with a brief review of the literature.ResultsA 57-year-old male who suffered from psoriasis was treated with infliximab therapy for 4 years. Thyroid function tests were normal before infliximab therapy. When the patient presented in our clinic, he had thyrotoxicosis and was using propylthiouracil. A 99m Technetiumpertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy scan showed no visualization of either thyroid lobe or decreased thyroid iodine uptake. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody, thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO Ab) and thyroglobulin antibody (anti-Tg Ab) were negative. Thyroid ultrasonography revealed a heterogeneous thyroid gland without nodules. After stopping propylthiouracil therapy, we advised monitoring of his thyroid function tests in the following weeks, and infliximab therapy for psoriasis was continued. Four weeks later, his thyroid function tests showed an elevated TSH level with normal levels of free triiodothyronine and thyroxine (FT3 and FT4, respectively), and levothyroxine treatment was administered to the patient. Thyroid function tests normalized after levothyroxine treatment. One year later, infliximab therapy was stopped because of clinical remission. Simultaneously, levothyroxine treatment was also stopped. His thyroid function tests were normal 6 weeks after the cessation of levothyroxine treatment.ConclusionTo our knowledge, the present report is the third infliximab-associated thyroid disorder case. Periodic follow-up of thyroid function tests is necessary during infliximab therapy. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:e207-e210)     

Necrosis in thyroid nodules after fine needle aspiration biopsy. Report of two cases

Two cases of infarction of thyroid neoplasms following fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy are reported. Histologic study of a 2.5 x 2.5 cm nodule excised 18 days after FNA had diagnosed a Hürthle-cell neoplasm showed mainly necrotic debris and granulation tissue. While FNA made the diagnosis of a papillary carcinoma in the second case, which had had an FNA biopsy of the same nodule six years earlier, most of the nodule was fibrotic and necrotic. These two cases demonstrate the potential problems in such cases: (1) post-FNA infarction may obscure the nature of a cytologically diagnosed neoplasm, making histologic confirmation difficult, and (2) FNA of an infarcted nodule may have difficulties in obtaining diagnostic material, potentially resulting in a false-negative diagnosis. Review of the literature on thyroid infarction shows it to be a rare event, with most reported cases occurring after FNA biopsy of a neoplasm. The finding of necrosis and fibrosis in an aspirate or surgical specimen should thus suggest the presence of a neoplasm.     

甲状腺结节数对钙化甲状腺病变良恶性的鉴别价值

目的:通过甲状腺病变术前超声声像图与术后病理间的对照,分析结节单发或多发在鉴别伴钙化甲状腺病变良恶性中的意义。方法:回顾性分析我院2010年1月至2013年12月收治的218例甲状腺病变患者的临床资料,将患者术前超声声像图与术后病理结果进行对比。结果:术前超声探及甲状腺单发结节伴钙化其术后病理恶性比例显著高于多发结节伴钙化,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);多发结节伴钙化其术后病理恶性比例显著高于多发结节不伴钙化,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:术前超声探及甲状腺单发结节伴钙化其术后病理恶性比例较高,应积极手术治疗,多发结节伴钙化因其术后病理恶性病理较低,不宜作为手术治疗甲状腺病变的绝对指征。     

Diagnostic Use of Ultrasonography in Patients with Nodular Thyroid Disease

ObjectiveTo review the published reports pertaining to the diagnostic utility of ultrasonography for evaluation of thyroid nodules.MethodsVarious roles for diagnostic thyroid ultrasonography and screening ultrasound studies of the thyroid are discussed, and ultrasound characteristics of thyroid nodules and their association with malignant potential are described.ResultsIn two studies that correlated ultrasound findings with physical examination findings in patients with a solitary thyroid nodule detected by palpation, 16% of such patients had no corresponding nodule evident on ultrasonography, and 45% of such patients had an additional nodule detected by ultrasonography. Similarly, approximately 18% of patients with a palpable multinodular thyroid had no nodules larger than 1 cm in diameter on ultrasound studies. Thyroid nodules larger than 1 cm have been found by ultrasonography to be present in from 2 to almost 5% of the population with normal findings on examination of the thyroid. Use of screening ultrasound study of the thyroid has been suggested for patients with a history of childhood irradiation to the head and neck or a family history of thyroid cancer. Numerous investigations that have evaluated ultrasound features of thyroid nodules have suggested five characteristics as suggestive of malignant potential—hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications. irregular or microlobulated border, absent or irregular thick halo, and increased intranodular vascularity.ConclusionCorrelation of ultrasound and palpation findings will provide a comprehensive evaluation of nodular thyroid disease. Moreover, real-time ultrasonography facilitates characterization of features associated with an increased risk of a malignant lesion. High-resolution thyroid ultrasonography is a dynamic tool for endocrinologists. (Endocr Pract. 2004;10:246-252)     

Thyroid Nodule Evaluation and Management in Older Adults: A Review of Practical Considerations for Clinical Endocrinologists

ObjectiveContextualizing the evaluation of older adults with thyroid nodules is necessary to fully understand which management strategy is the most appropriate. Our goal was to summarize available clinical evidence to provide guidance in the care of older adults with thyroid nodules and highlight special considerations for thyroid nodule evaluation and management in this population.MethodsWe conducted a literature search of PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE from January 2000 to November 2020 to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles published in English. References from the included articles as well as articles identified by the authors were also reviewed.ResultsThe prevalence of thyroid nodules increases with age. Although thyroid nodules in older adults have a lower risk of malignancy, identified cancers are more likely to be of high-risk histology. The goals of thyroid nodule evaluation and the tools used for diagnosis are similar for older and younger patients with thyroid nodules. However, limited evidence exists regarding thyroid nodule evaluation and management to guide personalized decision making in the geriatric population.ConclusionConsidering patient context is significant in the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules in older adults. When making management decisions in this population, it is essential to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of thyroid nodule diagnosis and treatment, in view of older adults’ higher prevalence of high-risk thyroid cancer as well as increased risk for multimorbidity, functional and cognitive decline, and treatment complications.     

Autoimmune thyroiditis with transient thyrotoxicosis: comparison between painful thyroiditis and painless thyroiditis

Clinical and laboratory findings and long-term outcomes in 8 patients (7 women) with autoimmune thyroiditis (AT), aged 34-59 years, who had a painful tender goiter and a transient thyrotoxicosis with a low thyroid radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU), were compared with those in 15 patients (13 women) with painless thyroiditis (PT), aged 23-69 years. Six painful AT and 6 PT patients had a history of prior awareness of goiter. All patients with painful AT had a moderate or marked elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a positive result for C-reactive protein, while only 3 PT patients (group B) did. There were no significant differences between the mean age, duration of symptoms, white blood cell count, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations, serum T3/T4 ratio and duration of thyrotoxicosis after the initial examination and prevalences of positive results for antithyroglobulin and -microsomal antibodies in the two diseases. Two of 8 painful AT patients showed a histologically chronic fibrous variant and 6 others showed chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. All PT patients examined also showed lymphocytic thyroiditis. Two and 5 painful AT patients developed transient and persistent hypothyroidism, respectively, while 8 [7 in group A (normal ESR), 1 in group B] and 3 PT patients (1 in group A, 2 in group B) did, respectively. The mean serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level in the hypothyroid phase in painful AT patients was higher than that in PT patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

孤立性肺结节患者血清CEA、NSE、Cyfra21-1水平与结节直径的关系及联合高分辨率CT的诊断价值研究

摘要 目的：研究孤立性肺结节（SPN）患者血清癌胚抗原（CEA）、神经特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、细胞角蛋白19片段（Cyfra21-1）水平与结节直径的关系及联合高分辨率CT的诊断价值。方法：将医院从2017年3月～2020年3月期间收治的SPN患者154例纳入研究。根据术后病理检查结果分为恶性结节组104例和良性结节组50例。对所有患者均进行高分辨率CT胸部增强扫描,并比较不同结节患者的CT影像征象表现。此外,检测并比较不同结节患者的血清CEA、NSE、Cyfra21-1水平,分析血清CEA、NSE、Cyfra21-1与结节直径的关系。通过受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清CEA、NSE、Cyfra21-1水平联合高分辨率CT诊断SPN良恶性的效能。结果：肺恶性结节患者胸部CT影像征象表现为毛刺征、深分叶征、胸膜凹陷征、血管集数征、棘突征人数占比均高于良性结节,而钙化征人数占比低于良性结节（均P＜0.05）。肺恶性结节患者的血清CEA、NSE、Cyfra21-1水平均明显高于良性结节患者（均P＜0.05）。结节最大直径＞2.0 cm的SPN患者血清CEA明显高于结节最大直径1.0～2.0 cm患者,而结节最大直径1.0～2.0 cm患者血清CEA明显高于结节最大直径＜1.0c m患者（均P＜0.05）;且经Spearman相关性分析显示,血清CEA水平与SPN患者结节直径呈正相关,而血清NSE、Cyfra21-1水平与SPN患者结节直径无相关性。经ROC曲线分析可得,血清CEA、NSE、Cyfra21-1联合高分辨率CT诊断SPN良恶性的曲线下面积、灵敏度、特异度均明显高于上述各项血清学指标和高分辨率CT单独诊断。结论：SPN患者血清CEA水平与结节直径呈正相关,而血清NSE、Cyfra21-1水平与结节直径无明显相关,血清CEA、NSE、Cyfra21-1联合高分辨率CT诊断SPN良恶性的价值较高。     

The Association of Thyroid Nodule with Non-Iodized Salt among Chinese Children

Objective

The controversy that iodized salt may increase the risk of thyroid disorders has been aroused in China during the past decade. Most of studies focused on adult rather than children. We aimed to explore whether iodized salt was associated with an increased risk of thyroid nodule in Chinese children.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted in Hangzhou, China, in 2010. Iodized salt intake, urine iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroid nodule (by ultrasonography) were measured in 3026 children. The associations of iodized salt with thyroid nodule were evaluated using multiple logistic regression models.

Results

The prevalence of thyroid nodule was 10.59% among Chinese children. Girls (11.89%) had higher prevalence of thyroid nodule than boys (9.26%). No significant association was observed between type of salt and thyroid nodule in pooled samples, boys and girls, respectively. Similar associations were observed between UIC and thyroid nodule. There was no significant association between milk consumption and thyroid nodule as well.

Conclusion

The present study indicated that non-iodized salt may not increase the risk of thyroid nodules among Chinese children. Similar associations were observed between milk consumption, UIC and thyroid nodules.     

Cytology and mRNA expression analysis of fine needle aspirates of thyroid nodules in an East German region with borderline iodine deficiency.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is widely recommended as an important tool for pre-operative identification of malignancy in patients with nodular thyroid disease. To assess the diagnostic contribution of FNAC and the potential of quantitative mRNA analysis in fine needle aspirates in daily practice, we conducted a prospective study in thyroid clinics (n=2) and endocrine practices (n=3), respectively in an East German region with borderline iodine deficiency. Two-hundred and forty-four consecutive FNACs were obtained over a period of 2 years (2002-2004) from euthyroid patients presenting for first evaluation of a solitary thyroid nodule. The mean nodule size for FNAC was 27 mm (range: 10-79 mm). In 55% of patients FNAC was performed after scintiscan detection of a cold or normal functioning thyroid nodule (CTN), while in the remainder FNAC was performed as a primary investigation. FNAC outcomes were: 57.8% benign, 22.1% indeterminate, 2.5% suspicious for malignancy, 17.6% non-diagnostic. Messenger RNA levels for a house keeping gene (beta-actin) and a thyroid specific marker (thyroglobulin, Tg) were studied as basic molecular markers using real-time PCR. Both in the IN VIVO and EX VIVO FNA series, beta-actin and Tg mRNA levels were positively correlated with the thyrocyte cell yield/respective FNA smear. However, subgroup analysis showed that FNAC with histologically confirmed follicular thyroid cancer and/or microfollicular adenoma exhibited significantly lower Tg mRNA expression despite high beta-actin levels. Sufficient mRNA quantities were obtained in >90% of FNA specimen to allow quantitative mRNA analysis of at least 5 further genes. In conclusion, quantitative mRNA analysis is feasible in FNA on a routine basis and provides a perspective for a molecular distinction of thyroid nodules, once specific marker genes have been defined for benign and malignant thyroid tumours respectively.     

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.     

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.