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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2009; 117(4): 159-164
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1080922
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Use of Demographic, Ultrasonographic and Scintigraphic Data in the Diagnostic Approach of Thyroid Nodules

S. A. Polyzos 1 , M. Kita 1 , Z. Efstathiadou 1 , D. G. Goulis 2 , A. Benos 3 , N. Flaris 4 , M. Leontsini 4 , A. Avramidis 1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 2Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 3Department of Hygiene and Social Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 4Department of Pathology, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

received 02.03.2008 first decision 11.04.2008

accepted 03.06.2008

Publication Date:
01 October 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid nodules are a common diagnostic challenge mainly because of the need to exclude thyroid malignancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of demographic, ultrasonographic and scintigraphic findings in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid lesions in patients presenting with thyroid nodules.

Materials and Methods: 941 patients, who presented with palpable thyroid nodules and underwent at least one fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), were retrospectively evaluated.

Results: The thyroid was assessed by ultrasonography (US) in 796 patients and by scintigraphy (SC) in 774 patients. The final diagnostic outcome was established after surgery (n=183) or after a minimum of one-year clinical follow-up period. Higher rates of malignancy were observed in male gender (p<0.001), in patients presenting with a solitary nodule in US (p<0.001), in nodules with maximum diameter ≥4.5 cm in US (p=0.024) and in nodules detectable by SC (p=0.006). There were no statistical differences in the rates of malignancy among cystic, solid or mixed nodules in US or among “hot”, “warm” or “cold” nodules in SC.

Conclusions: Male gender, solitary nodule and nodule diameter ≥4.5 cm can serve as adjuncts to FNAB in predicting the risk of thyroid malignancy in patients presenting with thyroid nodules.

Key words

fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) - multinodular goiter - thyroid malignancy - thyroid nodule - thyroid scintigraphy - thyroid ultrasonography

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1 This paper is a synopsis of the work submitted for the Master in Sciences (M.Sc.) in “Medical Research Technology” (Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece).

Correspondence

S. A. Polyzos

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