Outline
Introduction Criteria for characterization Imaging modalities Symptoms Differential Diagnosis
The term thyroid nodule refers to an abnormal growth of thyroid cells that forms a lump within the thyroid gland. The vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous), a small proportion of thyroid nodules do contain thyroid cancer. Evaluation of these nodules is necessary to characterize and determine modalities of management
If the odds that the nodule is not a cancer, only the side of the thyroid with the nodule is usually removed. If a cancer is found, the remaining thyroid gland usually must be removed as well. If the surgery confirms that no cancer is present, no additional surgery to complete the thyroidectomy is necessary.
Introduction
Symptoms
Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms. Individual patients observation Neck mass +/_ Difficulty in swallowing or choking sensations
Signs
Elevation of values of biochemical Observation by Physicians * Radiographic: neck +/_ retrosternal extension * Sonographic or round or oval masses (hypoechoic, hyperechoic, mixed echogenicity, cystic) * CT * MRI
Criteria for characterization Symptoms Signs Radiologic findings * Position * Shape * Size *Outline * Density * Number Laboratory findings
Imaging modalities Plain Radiography Ultrasonography CT MRI Scintigraphy Thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA or FNAB) - This result is obtained in up to 80% of biopsies. The risk of
overlooking a cancer when the biopsy is benign is generally less than 3 in 100 tests or 3%. This is even lower when the biopsy is reviewed by an experienced pathologist at a major medical center.
Molecular diagnostics
Plain radiography
Not very useful in evaluating nodules. Can however assess extent of huge thyroid glands * Effect on trachea * Extent of growth - ? Retrosternal extension * ? calcifications
USS
Safe, therefore useful for the very necessary repeat and follow-up studies Clearly defines density, margin and other characters of the nodules Useful in guiding the needle in fine needle biopsy
USS + FNAC Combination of thyroid ultrasound and biopsy have proven so accurate and sensitive and therefore very reliable
CT , MRI
Valuable for determining extent of spread of malignant nodules
Scintigraphy
Useful in unusual cases Rarely used now-a-days though Useful for detecting ectopic tissues
Differential Diagnosis
Benign Malignant Indeterminate
Malignant
malignant nodules make up about 5% all thyroid nodules. Most often due to papillary cancer, which is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Mixed echogenicity, irregular outline, usually solitary, large in size, lymphadenopathy A suspicious biopsy has a 50-75% risk of cancer in the nodule.
Indeterminate
Defn: An Indeterminate nodule is one that has no
definitive feature and at FNAC even with adequate number of cells harvested during the fine needle biopsy, examination with a microscope cannot reliably classify the result as benign or malignant. * The nodule may be indeterminate because the nodule is
described as a Follicular Lesion.
This is an FNAC Dx. About 20% of cases fall into this group. These nodules are cancerous 20- 30% of the time. However, the diagnosis can only be made by surgery.
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