Thyroid pathology in the aged]

Following a review of the literature on this topic, the authors examine all patients with thyroid pathologies who were admitted to the 1st Institute of Surgical Pathology of the University of Pavia between 1-1-1974 and 31-12-1990. Only patients aged over 65 were included in the study and were subdivided into two groups, namely those aged between 65-74 (3rd age) and those over 75 (4th age). Particular attention was focused on the type of pathology (benign or malignant), other pathologies associated to the basic pathology, the type of operation performed and, in the case of malignant diseases, the histological type of tumour and any metastasis. The results of this series were then compared to those reported elsewhere. The Authors conclude that thyroid pathologies in geriatric patients are very important since, given that at this age the gland is becoming atrophic, the onset of disease often occurs before the age of 65 and symptoms in these patients are imprecise. In view of the good results obtained, it is always worth operating in order to give the patient a reasonable life expectancy, especially in those cases with collateral disorders (compression) caused by the thyroid mass.     

The surgical treatment of nodular thyroid lesions: our experience. Analysis of 462 cases

Nodular thyroid lesions are the most frequent endocrine diseases in the general population. The surgical procedure is indicated for nodular thyroid tissue degeneration, or when the suppressive pharmacologic therapy is less efficient, even if sometimes both factors are associated. In Authors' study 462 patients were observed who underwent surgical procedures for thyroid diseases between January 1997-April 2003. In the thyroid pathology, either uninodular or multinodular, the surgical therapy adopted is total thyroidectomy, according to other Authors. The aim of total thyroidectomy is to avoid recurrence and simplify long term pharmacologic treatment. Although the question about the surgical approach (total thyroidectomy vs lobectomy) is still open in the case of single monolateral lesions, on the basis of their experience the Authors believe that the first is the best procedure. For diffused or malignant nodular thyroid pathology, on the contrary, total thyroidectomy is widely adopted.     

Therapeutic strategies in differentiated cancer of the thyroid: total thyroidectomy

Differentiated thyroid cancer is peculiar for its prognosis often excellent. The Authors report their experience about 78 patients affected with differentiated thyroid carcinoma, operated between 1976-1999 at the Institute of Surgical Pathology and Surgical Clinic of Cagliari University. 70 (89.7%) patients underwent total thyroidectomy, 6 (7.5%) subtotal thyroidectomy and 2 (2.5%) thyroid lobectomy. In 11 patients total thyroidectomy was performed in two times within 60 days after initial lobectomy. Tumor was found in 2 (18%) of 11 of the reoperations. Lymphadenectomy was performed only in presence of cervical lymph nodal metastases. Following 70 total thyroidectomy the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy was 4.2% and permanent hypoparathyroidism 11.4%. 79% patients received adjuvant postoperative radioiodine therapy to ablate residual functioning tissue or distant suspected metastases. After a mean follow up period of 5.8 years, recurrences developed in 10.2%. Any local recurrences, 5 (6.4%) cervical nodal recurrences, 3 (3.8%) distant metastases were encountered. Two (2.5%) of the three patients with recurrence distant metastases died from thyroid carcinoma. The Authors identify total thyroidectomy as the minimal procedure. Surgical management of the cervical nodes is recommended only in the presence of metastatic lymph-nodes. Post surgical ablation with I131 of microscopic remnants optimize detection and treatment of the recurrence and distant metastases.     

Minimally invasive surgical enucleation or esophagogastrectomy for benign tumor of the esophagus

Experience in surgical resection of benign tumor of the esophagus is limited. Authors performed a chart review of 5 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgical resection of benign esophageal tumor. Main outcome measures included operative approaches, tumor's location and size, and outcomes. Tumor location were middle esophagus (n = 1), distal esophagus (n = 2), and gastroesophageal junction (n = 2). There were 4 females with a mean age of 55 years. Surgical approaches included thoracoscopic enucleation (n = 1), laparoscopic enucleation (n = 1), and laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy (n = 3). There were no open conversions. Mean operative time for enucleation was 127 minutes and 240 minutes for Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Mean hospital stay was 5.8 days. There were no major or minor complications. Three patients developed stomal stenosis. The 30-day mortality was zero. Surgical pathology showed leiomyoma in 3 patients and gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 2 patients. Tumor size ranged from 1.1 to 10.5 cm. There has been no tumor recurrence at a mean follow-up of 14 months. Minimally invasive surgical enucleation or esophagogastrectomy for benign esophageal tumor is feasible and safe. The optimal approaches should be tailored based on the location and size of the tumor.     

基于CT平扫影像组学鉴别≤2 cm甲状腺良恶性结节

目的观察基于CT平扫影像组学模型鉴别直径≤2 cm甲状腺良恶性结节的价值。方法回顾性分析97例经手术病理证实直径≤2 cm甲状腺结节患者,按7∶3比例将其随机分为训练组(n=67)及验证组(n=30)。提取训练组病灶的影像组学特征并进行预处理,采用最小绝对收缩和选择算子(LASSO)方法筛选最优影像组学特征;以二元Logistic回归方法建立鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性的影像组学模型,计算训练组中良恶性结节的影像组学评分,于验证组中进行验证。以ROC曲线法评估影像组学模型在训练组及验证组中的诊断效能。结果训练组25例良性病变和42例恶性病变;验证组10例良性、20例恶性病变。共于训练组病灶中提取848个影像组学特征,经预处理及筛选获得8个最优影像组学特征,建立鉴别直径≤2 cm甲状腺良恶性结节的影像组学模型。2组良性结节影像组学评分[-0.08(-1.96,0.78)、0.11(-0.96,0.65)]均低于恶性结节[1.20(0.80,2.56)、1.03(0.80,2.47),t=-3.29、-3.12,P均<0.01]。影像组学模型鉴别训练组及验证组甲状腺良恶性病变的敏感度分别为0.77、0.74,特异度分别为0.79、0.91,AUC分别为0.84、0.88(D=0.35,P=0.73)。结论基于CT平扫影像组学鉴别直径≤2 cm甲状腺良恶性结节具有较好的应用价值。     

多发性甲状腺结节伴甲状腺癌23例的临床分析

目的 探讨多发性甲状腺结节中甲状腺癌的诊断。方法 回顾分析1988年5月至2000年12月治疗的23例多发甲状腺结节伴甲状腺癌病例。结果 23例患者中术前确诊仅6例，第2次手术患者13例，良性疾病与甲状腺癌并存20例。结论 多发性甲状腺结节中的甲状腺癌多与良性疾病并存，临床诊断困难，病理诊断是减少误诊率与再手术率的有效方法。     

Total versus subtotal thyroidectomy for multiple node goiter: experience with 350 surgically treated cases

The surgical treatment of benign thyroid pathology and in particular the multinodular form is controversial. This controversy exists and one must choose either perform conservative surgical therapy such as lobectomy or sub-total thyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy. From January 1985 to July 1999, the Authors observed 534 cases of benign thyroid pathology. Of these 534, 330 were diagnosed with primitive goiter, and 20 with recurrent goiter; 13 cases of the primitive goiter type were found to have microfoci of carcinoma inside the goiter on the definitive histologic exam. There were 275 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and the remaining 75 cases with ultrasound proven multinodular goiter were treated with lobectomy or sub-total thyroidectomy, depending on the appearance at the time of the operation as well as the macroscopic and microscopic exams of the integrity of the glandular parenchyma performed while in the operating room. The Authors demonstrated that in multinodular goiter there is a high percentage of cases with disease involving the entire gland. Many areas of apparently healthy tissue are found to be microscopically involved with a variable grade of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or follicular hyperplasia or even lobular dysplasia with the tendency to form nodules. These signs of disease of this organ tend to recur if not treated.     

SWE与实时组织弹性成像技术在甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别诊断中的价值分析

目的探究采用剪切波弹性成像(SWE)与实时组织弹性成像技术(RTE)对鉴别诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的价值。方法选择2015年10月至2016年10月收治的行甲状腺手术60例患者进行回顾性分析,共68个甲状腺结节。均在术前同时行SWE检查和RTE检查,并且所有患者均接受手术病理证实。结果 SWE检查甲状腺恶性结节的杨氏模值显著高于良性结节,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。SWE与RTE两种诊断技术的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值之间的差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。RTE诊断直径≤1 cm甲状腺结节良恶性的灵敏度显著高于SWE,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。SWE技术诊断直径≥3 cm甲状腺结节良恶性的灵敏度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值均高于RTE,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 SWE与RTE鉴别诊断甲状腺结节良恶性均具有较高诊断价值,SWE对于大结节良恶性鉴别诊断具有更高价值,而直径≤1 cm的甲状腺结节宜采用RTE技术进行诊断。     

Clinical study on the treatment of differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid gland

A study on 88 patients operated for a differentiated thyroid carcinoma (63 papillary and 25 follicular cancer) is reported. In 66 cases a total thyroidectomy was performed (in 16 associated with an ipsilateral lymphadenectomy), in 11 a subtotal thyroidectomy and in 11 a lobar isthmectomy. In the follow-up there were 3 deaths and 4 recurrences. Notwithstanding the limited number of cases, the Authors registered a worse diagnosis for the follicular carcinomas (2 deaths and 2 recurrences on 25) compared to the papillary (1 death and 2 recurrences on 63).     

Thyroid Carcinomas Arising in Thyroglossal Ducts

Six cases of thyroid carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct cyst are described and combined with previously reported cases to provide a total of 66 cases for retrospective analysis. Most presented as benign thyroglossal duct cyst, and the malignant nature of the lesion was not recognized until the permanent pathology sections were reviewed. Eight of 10 patients with metastatic disease in retrospect had preoperative indications of malignancy as manifest by clinically suspicious nodes or a thyroglossal cyst larger than the mean for the series. The primary cell type in all cases was papillary thyroid carcinoma. Local resection by the Sistrunk method and suppressive doses of thyroid are recommended for the patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct cyst when there is no evidence of extension of the malignancy beyond the confines of the cyst. The patient presenting with metastatic carcinoma should, of course, be treated with appropriate local resection, hormonal manipulation, thyroid ablation, and lymphadenectomy as indicated by his age and sex, the cell type of the tumor, and the extent of local and metastatic disease.     

原发性腹膜后神经源性肿瘤93例分析

目的　探讨原发性腹膜后神经源性肿瘤的临床病理特征及外科治疗原则 ,以提高手术切除率及安全性。方法　回顾性分析 13年间经手术和病理证实的原发性腹膜后神经源性肿瘤患者的临床资料。结果　神经源性肿瘤占同期腹膜后肿瘤的 2 0 .6% (93 /4 5 2 ) ,其中神经鞘瘤 2 4例(2 5 .8% )、恶性神经鞘瘤 19例 (2 0 .4% )、副节瘤 14例 (15 .1% )、神经纤维瘤 16例 (17.2 % )、其他少见肿瘤 2 0例 (2 1.5 % )。术前CT和MRI检查的诊断率分别为 65 .6%和 73 .9%。手术切除率为97.9% (91/93 ) ,2例行探查活检。良、恶性肿瘤术后的 3 ,5年生存率分别为 95 .9% ,80 .1%和42 .4% ,10 .5 %。良性肿瘤术后复发 8例 ,复发率为 13 .1% ;恶性肿瘤复发 14例 ,复发率为 43 .8%。结论　CT和MRI对本病诊断有辅助意义 ;治疗首选手术切除。良性肿瘤预后良好 ,恶性肿瘤术后易复发     

Total Thyroidectomy for Management of Thyroid Disease

Total thyroidectomy is a logical treatment for many patients with thyroid disease, including patients in whom the pathologic process requiring surgery involves both lobes of the thyroid or the risk of recurrence is a significant consideration, as in benign multinodular goiter, Graves' disease, and cancer. In earlier times the risks of extensive surgery and problems of adequate hormone replacement deterred surgeons from performing total thyroidectomy. However, as we enter the twenty-first century we are confident that the technical aspects of safe total thyroidectomy are established and that thyroid hormone replacement and monitoring are readily available and accurate. In the future total thyroidectomy is likely to be performed increasingly commonly for both benign and malignant disease.     

Cirugía endoscópica transanal en tumores rectales

Background

Transanal endoscopic operation (TEO) may be the technique of choice for the treatment of rectal lesions, both benign and selected malignant lesions, with similar survival rates to conventional surgery but with lower morbidity.

Methods

In this article we present a series of 70 patients operated on with this procedure (TEO) in our center. The indications were benign rectal lesions and malignant lesions at early stages (T1) 86%. The surgical procedure was performed with the the transanal endoscopic operation platform (TEO; Karl Storz, Tüttlingen, Germany) and ultrasonic scalpel (Harmonic scalpel, Ethicon Endo-surgery,…).

Results

The indication in 43 patients was a benign lesion (adenoma), in the other 27 the diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. After the resection, 61% of the series had a malignant lesion in the pathology report: 13 patients of the 43 with a benign lesion initially had a malignant lesion in the pathology report. Postoperative morbidity was 36%, Clavien III (5,7%). 3 patients (4%) needed emergency surgery.All of the benign lesions were completely excised, but 7 malignant lesions had resection margin involvement The median follow-up time was 26,4 months (range, 1-71 months), the overall recurrence for benign tumors was 9%, 8% for malignant pT1 and 12,5% for malignant pT2. Early salvage surgery was performed on 8 patients.

Conclusions

TEO allows us to excise benign rectal lesions that could not be excised with a conventional approach (endoscopic or transanal resection) with a low morbidity rate. TEO can be used for malignant rectal tumors in early stages (pT1) with pathological confirmation.     

Use of fine-needle aspiration cytology and frozen section in the management of nodular goiters

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the role of frozen section (FS) in surgical decisions for nodular thyroid disease when a preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is available. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The charts of 113 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for nodular goiter were reviewed. Each patient underwent FNAC, FS, or both. Results were compared with the final pathologic examination to evaluate their effectiveness in predicting malignancy. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of FNAC alone (49 patients) were 73% and 93.5%, respectively, and of FS (111 patients) 68% and 99%, respectively. The result of fine-needle aspiration cytology was: benign (n = 8), malignant (n = 13), indeterminate (n = 25), and nondiagnostic (n = 3). All cases diagnosed as benign on FNAC were benign on final pathology, but of the six FS performed in these cases, four were benign and two were suspect. Of the 13 FNAC that were interpreted as malignant, 11 and 10 proved to be malignant on final pathology and FS, respectively. The 25 indeterminate cases on FNAC were on final pathology benign (n = 21) and malignant (n = 4) and on frozen section were benign (n = 12), malignant (n = 2), and suspect (n = 11). CONCLUSION: When results of FNAC are interpreted as benign or malignant, FS is of little value, because it does not change the extension of thyroidectomy. FS proved useful in determining the extent of thyroidectomy only when results of the FNAC were suspect or atypical.     

Can fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodule help in determining the extent of surgery in follicular and Hurthle cell neoplasm at a community teaching institution?

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was used to evaluate cold thyroid nodules in 179 patients treated between 1990 and 1998. The purpose of this study was to see whether FNAB findings of follicular or Hurthle cells could help in planning the extent of thyroid surgery. Group I patients (47) had findings suggestive of follicular or Hurthle cell neoplasm. Group II patients (132) had inconclusive results. In group I FNAB was 100 per cent correct in diagnosing follicular or Hurthle cell neoplasm with a high percentage of malignant findings (malignancy 85 per cent and benign adenoma 15 per cent). In Group II malignancy was found in 16 per cent and benign pathology in 84 per cent. Women were more likely to have malignancy than men. The average age was over 50 years in patients with either malignant or benign nodules. In addition there was no significant difference in average size of benign or malignant nodules (2.9 vs 2.6 cm respectively). When an FNAB finding was suggestive of neoplasm malignancy was found in 85 per cent. On the other hand when an FNAB was inconclusive malignancy was present in 16 per cent. Thus we conclude that using FNAB finding can guide surgical resection and recommend performing total or subtotal thyroidectomy when FNAB is suggestive of neoplasm and lobectomy when FNAB is inconclusive.     

Near-total thyroidectomy could be the best treatment for thyroid disease in endemic regions

HYPOTHESIS: Near-total thyroidectomy, on the basis of its low morbidity rate, is an appropriate treatment option in the surgical management of various thyroid diseases in an endemic region in Turkey. DESIGN: Single-institution study of patients with various thyroid diseases treated by means of near-total thyroidectomy within 2 years in an endemic region, with comparison of the results vs the complication rates of bilateral subtotal and total thyroidectomy reported in the literature. SETTING: Tertiary academic referral center. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty-two patients who underwent near-total thyroidectomy for various thyroid diseases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical treatments of various benign thyroid diseases were compared according to the complication rates and the achievable benefits of the procedures. RESULTS: In our clinic, near-total thyroidectomy was the principal surgical procedure performed for benign thyroid disease. The temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy rate with respect to the nerves at risk was 3.3% (10 of 304 nerves), whereas temporary hypoparathyroidism was 7.2% (11 of 152 patients). Neither permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy nor permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred. In 1 patient, wound hematoma developed and required re-exploration. Seroma in another patient needed no medical or surgical intervention. Neither wound infection nor mortality were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Near-total thyroidectomy achieves a lower complication rate of hypoparathyroidism and a similar complication rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and recurrence when compared with the rates reported in the literature for total thyroidectomy. It is an effective and safe surgical treatment option for various benign thyroid diseases.     

Combined [<Superscript>18</Superscript>F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for Detection of Recurrent, <Superscript>131</Superscript>I-Negative Thyroid Cancer

Background Whole-body ¹³¹I scintigraphy (WBS) and serial thyroglobulin measurement (Tg) are standard methods for detecting thyroid cancer recurrence after total/near total thyroidectomy and ¹³¹I ablation. Some patients develop elevated Tg (Tg-positive) or there is clinical suspicion of recurrence, but WBS are negative (WBS-negative). This may reflect non-iodine-avid recurrence or metastasis. In 2002, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved positron emission tomography with [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) for Tg-positive/WBS-negative patients with follicular-cell-origin thyroid cancer. Limited data are available regarding the performance of combined FDG-PET/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for detecting recurrent thyroid cancer in WBS-neg patients. Methods This retrospective review of prospectively collected data analyzed 65 patients who had FDG-PET/CT for suspected thyroid cancer recurrence (April 1998–August 2006). Patients were WBS-negative but were suspected to have recurrence based on Tg levels or clinical grounds. Suspected FDG-PET/CT abnormalities were reported as benign or malignant. Lesions were ultimately declared benign or malignant by surgical pathology or clinical outcome (disease progression). Results Of 65 patients who underwent FDG-PET/CT, 47 had positive FDG-PET/CT. Of the positive FDG-PET/CT, 43 studies were true positives, with 21 (49%) confirmed pathologically by surgical resection. The four false positives (3/4 confirmed pathologically) included an infundibular cyst, an inflamed supraclavicular cyst, pneumonitis, and degenerative disc disease. Of the 18 FDG-PET/CT studies that were negative, 17 were true negatives and one was a false negative (metastatic papillary carcinoma). Thus, FDG-PET/CT demonstrated a patient-based sensitivity of 98%, specificity of 81%, positive predictive value of 91%, and negative predictive value of 94%. Conclusions FDG-PET/CT is useful for detecting thyroid cancer recurrence in WBS-negative patients, and can assist decision making.     

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura: clinical characteristics, surgical treatment and outcome

Objective: The aim of this paper is to study clinical characteristics, surgical treatment and outcome of patients with solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura operated in our institutions in a 20-year period. Methods: Clinical records of all patients operated for solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura between 1981 and 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. Tumors were classified as malignant in the presence of at least one of the following criteria: (1) high mitotic activity; (2) high cellularity with crowding and overlapping of nuclei; (3) presence of necrosis; (4) pleomorphism; otherwise they were considered as benign. Results: Sixty patients (mean age 55 years) were operated in this period. None had asbestos exposure. Symptoms were present in 31 cases. Surgical approaches included thoracotomy (n=53), video-assisted thoracoscopy (n=6), and median sternotomy (n=1). Tumors originated from visceral pleura in 48 cases, from parietal, mediastinal or diaphragmatic pleura in seven, two and three cases, respectively; their mean diameter was 8.5 cm. Tumors could be resected with their implantation basis in 49 patients. In the remaining 11, extended resections were performed, including lung parenchyma (lobectomy, n=4, pneumonectomy, n=2), osteomuscular chest wall structures (n=2), diaphragm (n=2), and pericardium (n=1). Two postoperative deaths (due to myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism, respectively) occurred. Tumors were pathologically benign in 38 cases and malignant in 22 cases. Mean follow-up was 88 months. Resection was complete in all the patients with benign tumors and no recurrence occurred. Resection was considered as complete in 21/22 malignant tumors. Local recurrence was observed in two cases. Both could be successfully managed by iterative exeresis (no extended resection had been initially performed). Metastatic disease (responsible for patient's death) was observed following the only incomplete resection. Actuarial 5- and 10-year survival rates were 97% for benign tumors and 89% for malignant ones. Conclusions: Surgical resection provided cure in all the patients with benign tumors. As insufficiency of exeresis is associated with all recurrences in malignant tumors, completeness of resection is in our experience the best prognostic factor in these forms.     

超声检查对甲状腺弥漫性病变合并结节的声像特征分析

目的探讨超声检查鉴别诊断甲状腺弥漫性病变合并甲状腺良恶性结节的声像特征及临床价值。方法回顾性分析2015年1月至2015年12月收集的139例甲状腺弥漫性病变合并甲状腺结节患者的超声资料,所有患者经过穿刺活检或术后病理结果予以证实,对比良恶性结节的超声声像特征及超声的鉴别诊断价值。统计分析采用SAS10.0软件,良恶性结节的声像特征对比采用χ2检验;P值0.05说明差异具有统计学意义。结果共检出147个甲状腺结节,其中良性52个(35.37%)、恶性95个(64.63%);恶性结节的不均质回声率、边界不清楚率、点状钙化灶发生率、Ⅲ级血流分布率、阻力指数≥0.7患者所占比率均显著的高于良性结节患者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);超声鉴别诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的灵敏度为70.53%、特异度为78.85%、漏诊率为29.47%、误诊率为21.15%。结论根据声像特征进行鉴别诊断甲状腺弥漫性病变合并甲状腺良恶性结节具有一定的临床价值,同时具有无创、方便的优势。     

Incidental thyroid microcarcinoma in benign thyroid disease. Incidence in a total of 100 consecutive thyroidectomies

Over the past few years, incidental thyroid microcarcinoma has become a frequent disease and its incidence in some reports is considerable. Discovering new cases depends on the extended indications for total thyroidectomy for benign disease, on progress in the field of diagnostic instruments (ultrasound, scintigram, fine needle biopsy for cytology, CT scan, MRI), and on the pathology examination of very thin slices of specimens. In spite of the high incidence reported in some autopsy series, suggesting that this tumour may have a good prognosis, some Authors report an overall incidence of up to 11% of local recurrence, metastasis or mortality. For all these reasons the surgical treatment of incidental thyroid microcarcinoma is still controversial. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and examine the clinical-pathological findings of incidental thyroid microcarcinoma in a series of 100 consecutive thyroidectomies and to evaluate whether complete removal of the gland should be adopted in all cases. In the present series the incidence of incidental thyroid microcarcinoma was 21.6% (19/88). Total thyroidectomy was considered the treatment of choice for diffuse benign disease and appeared to be necessary for both the diagnosis and treatment of incidental thyroid microcarcinoma.