Clinical and Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Malignant Thyroid Incidentalomas.
- Author:
Hahn Wook KANG
1
;
Kwang Won KIM
;
Byung Wan LEE
;
Bo Hyun KANG
;
Hyung Hoon KIM
;
Bum Jin KIM
;
Jae Hoon CHUNG
;
Yong Ki MIN
;
Myung Shik LEE
;
Moon Kyu LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kwwkim@smc.samsung.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Lymphocytic Hypophysitis;
Pregnancy
- MeSH:
Antibodies;
Biopsy, Fine-Needle;
Humans;
Korea;
Neoplasm Staging;
Pathology;
Physical Examination;
Pregnancy;
Prevalence;
Retrospective Studies;
Seoul;
Thyroid Function Tests;
Thyroid Gland*;
Thyroid Nodule;
Ultrasonography
- From:Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology
2002;17(5):649-656
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: High-resolution ultrasonography has made the detection of asymptomatic small thyroid possible. Recent increases in the detection of incidentalomas have created a clinical dilemma on how to properly manage such incidental nodules. We investigated the prevalence, clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics, and optimal diagnostic approach toward incidentally detected benign and malignant thyroid nodules of less than 1.5 cm in size. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken on the 1,475 patients who had visited Samsung Medical Center, Seoul Korea between January 1999 and December 2000. The review consisted of a physical examination of the thyroid gland, thyroid function test, antithyroid antibodies, thyroid ultrasonography, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, pathology and TNM staging of the incidentally detected thyroid nodules of less than 1.5 cm in size. RESULTS: The prevalence of thyroid incidentalomas was 13.4% and the malignancy rate within them was 28.8%. There were no significant differences in age, sex, thyroid function test and size between the benign and malignant incidentalomas. Ultrasonographic characteristics showed meaningful diagnostic value for the detection of malignancy in incidentalomas. Most malignant incidentalomas were of a low stage. CONCLUSION: Occult thyroid cancers are fairly common finding. There are no clinical difference between benign and malignant thyroid nodules less than 1.5 cm ; however, ultrasonographic fingings can be used to decision of optimal management strategies.
