Outcomes of incidentally discovered thyroid nodules referred to a high-volume head and neck surgeon.
Head Neck
; 36(1): 126-9, 2014 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23729010
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Incidental thyroid nodules are commonly found by radiological studies done for other indications. The yearly incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing, in part because of detection of nonpalpable nodules on imaging performed for unrelated issues.METHODS:
All new patients referred to a high-volume thyroid surgeon for thyroid nodules were reviewed between February 2009 and January 2011. Data regarding patient demographics, risk factors, referring physician, radiologic findings, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) results, and management were reviewed.RESULTS:
One hundred thirty-three of 729 patients (18.2%) had a thyroid nodule or nodules incidentally found on ultrasound, MRI, CT, nuclear imaging, or chest x-ray. Fifty-five patients (41.4%) were managed surgically, with 35 (63.6%) of those having thyroid cancer on final surgical pathology.CONCLUSION:
Based on radiologic findings, risk factors, and FNA results, many incidental thyroid nodules can be observed. Incidental thyroid nodules should be evaluated in the same fashion as a palpable thyroid nodule.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Referral and Consultation
/
Thyroid Neoplasms
/
Diagnostic Imaging
/
Carcinoma, Papillary
/
Incidental Findings
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Evaluation_studies
/
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Head Neck
Journal subject:
NEOPLASIAS
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article