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Follicular nodules (THY3) of the thyroid: We recommend surgery

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Abstract

Objective: To determine the need of total thyrodectomy for patients with follicular nodules of thyroid. Subjects and methods: From January 2005 through June 2008, 2249 consecutive patients (438 males, 1811 females; mean age 54 yr, range 9–87) with thyroid nodules were submitted to 2518 ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (USgFNA) for cytological examination. USgFNA were performed by experienced surgeon (RP) and endocrinologist (RGG) under ultra-sonographyc guidance, using a 10-MHz linear transducer. Liquid-based cytology was used. Results: All cytological samples were classified in 5 diagnostic classes (THY1, THY2, THY3, THY4, THY5) in agreement with the British Thyroid Association (BTA); 1.4% specimen were classified as THY5, 2.1 % as THY4, 7.6% as THY3, 79.5% as THY2 and 9.4% as THY1. In 97% of THY5 patients, malignancy was found. Among THY4 patients, 95.5% were positive for thyroid tumor. Among THY3 patients, malignancy was found in 29.1%. THY3 patients with thyroid tumors were younger than those with benign lesions (46±14.1 yr vs 50±13.8 yr; p<0.05, t test). No statistical difference was found neither in malignancy frequency among men and women nor in mean size of nodules (24±11.8 mm malignant vs 23 ± 9.4 mm benign). Conclusions: this study provides evidence that USgFNA offers a very sensitive and accurate method in reducing THY1 samples and in detecting malignancy (>95% both in THY5 and THY4, and >29% in THY3 lesions). Our proposal is to submit to total thyroidectomy all patients with THY5 and THY4 lesions and THY3 thyroid nodule >1 cm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrine Unit, Medical Department, San Giuseppe Hospital, AUSL11 Tuscany Region - National Health Service, Viale Boccaccio 12, 50053, Empoli, FI, Italy

    R. G. Gheri MD, E. Romoli, B. Ragghianti, S. Pedercini & F. Dainelli

  2. Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    V. Vezzosi & S. Bianchi

  3. General Surgery Unit, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    R. Panconesi

Authors
  1. R. G. Gheri MD
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  2. E. Romoli
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  3. V. Vezzosi
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  4. B. Ragghianti
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Correspondence to R. G. Gheri MD.

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Gheri, R.G., Romoli, E., Vezzosi, V. et al. Follicular nodules (THY3) of the thyroid: We recommend surgery. J Endocrinol Invest 34, e183–e187 (2011). https://doi.org/10.3275/7416

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