Mutational analysis of BRAF in fine needle aspiration biopsies of the thyroid: a potential application for the preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is routinely used in the preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules, but subsequent patient management is often complicated by the inability to decisively recognize malignancy on cytologic grounds alone. Activating mutations of the BRAF oncogene commonly occur in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) but not in other types of benign and malignant thyroid lesions. Mutational analysis of FNAs could enhance selection of thyroid nodules for surgical removal. METHODS: Ninety-five excised PTCs along with 49 corresponding FNAs were evaluated for BRAF mutations by a newly developed assay that uses a novel primer extension method (MutectorR assay) and by direct sequencing. An additional 42 FNAs from thyroid nodules that were excised based on a suspicion of malignancy were also evaluated. RESULTS: BRAF mutations were identified in 36 of the 95 (38%) excised PTCs. By histological subtype, BRAF mutations were more common in conventional PTCs than in the follicular variant (67% versus 12%; P < 0.0001; chi(2)). Analysis of the preoperative FNAs accurately reflected BRAF status of the resected PTC in 46 of the 49 paired samples (94% concordance). In FNA samples grouped according to the preoperative cytologic findings (malignant, n = 25; benign, n = 11; and indeterminate, n = 55), a BRAF mutation confirmed the diagnosis of PTC in 72% of carcinomas within the malignant group, and it established the diagnosis of PTC in 16% of carcinomas within the indeterminate group. BRAF mutations were not detected in FNAs from 32 benign thyroid lesions. Direct sequencing and the MutectorR assay yielded completely concordant results. CONCLUSIONS: BRAF mutations are common in conventional PTCs, and they are specific for PTC. A BRAF mutation can be reliably detected in cells aspirated from a thyroid nodule suggesting a role for this marker in the preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules.     

超声检查联合基质金属蛋白酶检测对甲状腺癌的诊断价值

目的：探讨超声检查联合基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）检测诊断甲状腺癌的临床价值。方法：我院收治的476例甲状腺结节患者为研究对象,其中甲状腺癌63例,良性结节者413例。分别对两组患者进行超声弹性成像检查和基质金属蛋白酶检测。观察两组患者的超声表现,对两组患者的血清 MMP －2、MMP －9水平进行比较,并对超声检查以及超声联合基质金属蛋白酶检测两种检查方式在诊断甲状腺癌上的准确度、敏感度及特异度进行对比性分析。结果：从超声结果来看,无包膜、低回声、微钙化和囊性变在鉴别甲状腺良恶性结节上存在显著性差异（P ＜0．05）。甲状腺癌患者的弹性图像上多表现为3～4分,而良性结节组患者的评分多在0～2分,组间差异比较有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）。甲状腺癌组的 MMP －2、MMP －9水平均显著高于良性结节组,组间比较有显著性差异（P ＜0．05）。在鉴别甲状腺良恶性结节上,超声联合基质金属蛋白酶诊断甲状腺癌的阳性率和诊断良性结节的阴性率均明显高于超声诊断（P ＜0．05）。而超声联合基质金属蛋白酶诊断甲状腺癌上的准确度、敏感度和特异度分别为85．50％、90．48％、84．75％,均优于超声诊断（73．32％、76．19％、72．88％）,差异有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）。结论：超声弹性成像对于鉴别甲状腺癌具有一定临床价值,而基质金属蛋白酶在甲状腺癌的侵袭转移过程中发挥较为重要的作用,其过度表达能够作为甲状腺癌患者的预后指标,通过超声弹性成像联合基质金属蛋白酶检测能够显著提高甲状腺癌的诊断准确性。     

弹性成像在甲状腺单发结节良恶性鉴别诊断中的Logistic回归分析

目的：建立以甲状腺结节超声诊断特征为变量的回归模型,评价常规超声及弹性成像在甲状腺单发结节良恶性鉴别诊断中的价值.方法：对139例患者行常规超声及弹性成像检查,以病理诊断为金标准建立Logistic回归模型.绘制ROC曲线图,评价建立回归模型的预报准确性,比较各变量的似然比,评价弹性成像在甲状腺结节良恶性中的鉴别诊断价值.结果：经过二分类Logistic回归分析,筛选出对甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别诊断中有统计学意义的特征变量包括钙化、CDFI及弹性评分.Logistic回归模型对甲状腺单发结节良恶性预报的正确率为91.40％,敏感性为91.80％,特异性为91.10％.结论：弹性成像较常规超声检查更有助于甲状腺单发结节的良恶性鉴别诊断.     

剪切波弹性成像定量技术对不同大小甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断价值

目的:探讨剪切波弹性成像(SWE)定量技术对不同大小甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析230例行SWE并经手术病理证实的甲状腺结节患者,以病理结果为金标堆,绘制诊断良恶性的ROC曲线,判断诊断效能最高的杨氏模量值及其诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断截断值。根据甲状腺结节最大径线将结节分为A组（≤10 mm组）、B组（>10 mm组）。以SWE最优诊断截断值作为甲状腺恶性结节诊断标准,通过卡方检验判断结节大小对Emax值诊断甲状腺结节恶性是否有影响。绘制ROC曲线,分别判断A、B两组诊断截断值及其诊断效能。结果:230例甲状腺良恶性结节,Emax、Emean、Eratio三者诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的截断值分别为57 kPa、39 kPa、2.7。相应的曲线下面积分别为0.877、0.776、0.866。Emax值诊断甲状腺结节良恶性诊断效能最高。以Emax诊断截断值诊断两组结节良恶性,其P＜0.05,差异有统计学意义。A组Emax值>45 kPa,B组Emax值>60 kPa提示恶性可能。其A、B两组诊断的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、准确度分别为0.92、0.89、0.94、0.87、0.92和0.89、0.84、0.91、0.82、0.87。结论:SWE杨氏模量Emax值在鉴别诊断甲状腺结节良恶性时诊断效能最高。Emax值诊断截断值受甲状腺结节大小影响,且对于≤10 mm组诊断效能最高。     

Association of insulin-like growth factor-1 with thyroid nodules

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and thyroid nodules. A total of 56 patients with thyroid nodules confirmed by physical examination and ultrasound screening were randomly selected. The patients were divided into three groups by radionuclide scan: the hot nodule group (group 1, n=18); the cold and solid nodule group (group 2, n=18); and the cold and cystic nodule group (group 3, n=20). Cystic fluid samples from patients with cystic cold thyroid nodules were defined as group 4. A control group of 18 healthy adults matched for age, gender and body mass index (group 0) was also included. For all participants, levels of the thyroid hormones, TT3, TT4, TSH and IGF-1, were determined by radioimmunoassay. The measurement data were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). The analysis of variance was performed by the t-test and the correlation analysis was performed by linear regression. The serum levels of IGF-1 in the solid cold nodule group were significantly higher than those in the hot nodule group (P<0.05). Serum levels of IGF-1 in the cystic cold nodule group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The serum IGF-1 levels in the cystic fluid were significantly lower than those in the cystic cold nodule (P<0.05) and the control groups (P<0.05). Additionally, the mean serum IGF-1 level in patients with thyroid adenoma was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The serum IGF-1 level may not be involved in the pathogenesis of hot thyroid nodules and cold and cystic thyroid nodules; however, it may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of certain solid cold thyroid nodules.     

超声弹性成像联合量化分级系统对糖尿病前期合并甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别诊断的价值

目的:研究超声弹性成像（UE）联合量化分级系统对糖尿病前期合并良恶性甲状腺结节（TN）患者的综合诊断价值及胰岛素抵抗程度与UE和量化分级之间的关系。方法:选取2015年3月至2017年3月于我院就诊的糖尿病前期合并TN患者190例。所有患者均依次进行UE以及超声量化分级检查,并与手术病理诊断结果对比分析,分别计算UE、超声量化分级以及两者综合诊断的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度,并分析胰岛素抵抗程度与UE和量化分级之间的关系。结果:良性结节UE评分为1分的人数占比为50.91%（56/110）,高于恶性结节的0.00%（0/80）,而评分为3分的人数占比为9.09%（10/110）,低于恶性结节的63.75%（51/80）,均具有统计学差异（均P<0.05）。良性结节超声量化分级系统分析结果为Ⅱ级的人数占比高于恶性结节,而Ⅲ-Ⅳ级人数占比低于恶性结节组,均具有统计学差异（均P<0.05）。综合法诊断良恶性TN的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度分别为94.55%、97.50%、95.79%,均高于UE的81.82%、88.75%、84.74%以及超声量化分级的74.55%、77.50%、75.79%,均具有统计学差异（均P<0.05）;良性甲状腺结节,胰岛素抵抗指数与UE之间均存在正相关关系（rs=0.871,P<0.05）,胰岛素抵抗指数与量化分级之间存在正相关关系（rs=0.883,P<0.05）;恶性甲状腺结节,胰岛素抵抗指数与UE之间均存在正相关关系（rs=0.899,P<0.05）,胰岛素抵抗指数与量化分级之间存在正相关关系（rs=0.909,P<0.05）。结论:UE联合量化分级系统诊断良恶性TN的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度均较高,胰岛素抵抗和与甲状腺结节的发病是明显相关的,随着胰岛素抵抗程度的增加,甲状腺结节的UE分级及量化分级也随之增高,恶性结节的可能性也越大。     

2015ATA指南超声模式在 Bethesda III类甲状腺结节中的应用价值

目的:探讨2015ATA指南超声模式对意义不明确的非典型病变(atypia of undetermined significance,AUS)和滤泡性病变(follicular lesion of undetermined significance,FLUS）的诊断价值。方法:选取最初经细针穿刺细胞学(fine needle aspiration,FNA)诊断为AUS/FLUS的204例甲状腺结节作为研究对象,分析并比较AUS及FLUS良恶性结节的临床资料及二维超声特征,对所有结节的二维超声图像行2015ATA指南超声模式分级标准进行分级,计算得出极低度、低度、中度及高度可疑恶性结节的恶性风险,使用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线计算得出2015ATA超声模型鉴别AUS良恶性的最佳诊断界点,并根据诊断界点得出诊断效能等指标。结果:在AUS/FLUS良恶性结节之间,患者的年龄、性别及结节的大小差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);144例AUS中,恶性甲状腺结节多表现为不规则边界和微钙化且具有统计学意义（P=0.007,P=0.005）;2015ATA指南超声模式对AUS类结节的良恶性评估有统计学意义（P=0.001）,其极低度、低度、中度、高度可疑恶性结节的恶性率依次为0%、7.0%、64.3%、77.1%,恶性率随着分级的增高而增高,而在FLUS类结节良恶性鉴别诊断中差异无统计学意义;2015ATA 对AUS诊断的敏感性、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及曲线下面积分别为87.8%、87.4%、87.5%、94.7%、73.5%、0.90。结论:2015ATA指南有助于鉴别AUS的良恶性,将Bethesda III类甲状腺结节细分为AUS和FLUS两类,在临床工作中,有助于对Bethesda III类甲状腺结节更好的管理及治疗。     

The role of elastosonography,gray-scale and colour flow Doppler sonography in prediction of malignancy in thyroid nodules

Background

Ultrasound is as a noninvasive method commonly used in the work-up of thyroid nodules. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of sonographic and elastosonographic parameters in the discrimination of malignancy.

Patients and methods.

150 thyroid nodules were evaluated by gray-scale, Doppler and elastosonography. The cytological analysis revealed that 141 nodules were benign and 9 were malignant.

Results

Orientation of the nodule was the only sonographic parameter associated with malignancy (p = 0.003). In the strain ratio analysis the best cut-off point was 1.935 to discriminate malignancy (p = 0.000), with 100% sensitivity, 76% specificity, 100% negative predictive value, 78.5% positive predictive value and 78% accuracy rate. There was a statistically significant correlation between the elasticity score and malignancy (p = 0.001). Most of the benign nodules had score 2 and 3, none of them displayed score 5. On the other hand, none of the malignant nodules had score 1 and 2, most of them displaying score 5.

Conclusions

A change in the diagnostic algorithm of the thyroid nodules should be considered integrating the elastosonographic analysis.     

Quantitative Analysis of Thyroid Blood Flow and Static Imaging in the Differential Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

Objective:To evaluate the performance of combined quantitative analysis of thyroid blood flow and staticimaging data in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Method: Thyroid blood flow and static imagingwere performed in 165 patients with thyroid nodules. Patients were divided into a benign thyroid nodule group(BTN, n=135) and a malignant thyroid nodule group (MTN, n=30) based on the results of post-surgical pathologicexamination. Carotid artery thyroid transit times (CTTT), perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/thyroidblood (TNB/TB), and perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/carotid artery blood (TNB/CAB) were measuredusing thyroid blood flow imaging. The ratios between thyroid nodule and ipsilateral submandibular gland (TN/SG) and thyroid nodule and normal thyroid tissue (TN/T) were measured from thyroid static imaging. Thedifferences between the BTN and MTN groups were compared. Results: 1) CTTT was markedly lower in theMTN group than the BTN group, the difference being statistically significant. 2) TNB/TB and TNB/CAB wereboth significantly higher in MTN than BTN groups. 3) TN/T was significantly lower in MTN group than BTNgroup. 4) TN/SG was lower in MTN group than BTN group, but the difference was not statistically significant.5) Using the combination of CTTT and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 93.1%, 95.3% and94.9% respectively for the diagnosis of MTN. Using the combination of CTTT, TNB/TB and TN/T, the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy changed to 89.7%, 100%, and 98.1% respectively. 6) Correlation analysis demonstrateda significant correlation between TN/T and TNB/TB (r=-0.384, P=0.036) and TNB/CAB (r=-0.466, P=0.009) in theMTN group. Conclusion: The combination of quantitative markers from thyroid blood flow and thyroid staticimaging had high specificity and accuracy in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules,thus providing an important imaging diagnostic approach.     

Radioimmunotherapy of experimental head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with E6-specific antibody using a novel HPV-16 positive HNSCC cell line

Background

This study aimed to evaluate clinical, laboratory, ultrasound (US) and scintigraphyc parameters in thyroid nodule and to develop an auxiliary model for clinical application in the diagnosis of malignancy.

Methods

We assessed 143 patients who were surgically treated at a single center, 65% (93) benign vs. 35% (50) malignant lesions at final histology (1998-2008). The clinical, laboratory, scintigraphyc and US features were compared and a prediction model was designed after the multivariate analysis.

Results

There were no differences in gender, serum TSH and FT4 levels, thyroid auto-antibodies (TAb), thyroid dysfunction and scintigraphyc results (P = 0.33) between benign and malignant nodule groups. The sonographic study showed differences when the presence of suspected characteristics was found in the nodules of the malignant lesions group, such as: microcalcifications, central flow, border irregularity and hypoechogenicity. After the multivariate analysis the model obtained showed age (>39 years), border irregularity, microcalcifications and nodule size over 2 cm as predictive factors of malignancy, featuring 81.7% of accuracy.

Conclusions

This study confirmed a significant increase of risk for malignancy in patients of over 39 years and with suspicious features at US.     

甲状腺乳头状癌与甲状腺结节钙化的关系研究

[目的]探讨甲状腺结节合并钙化与甲状腺乳头状癌的关系。[方法]回顾性分析240例甲状腺结节患者的彩色超声资料与病理诊断结果。[结果 ]240例甲状腺结节中,甲状腺良性疾病钙化率为23.3%（38/163）,而甲状腺乳头状癌中钙化率达75.3%（58/77）,两组差异有统计学意义（χ2=58.947,P〈0.001）。钙化诊断甲状腺乳头状癌的ROC曲线下面积为0.811（95%CI：0.750~0.871）。微钙化患甲状腺乳头状癌的风险是非微钙化者的5.348倍（95%CI：2.804~10.200）,而粗钙化患甲状腺乳头状癌的风险是非粗钙化者的4.000倍（95%CI：1.564~10.230）。[结论]钙化尤其是微钙化对于诊断甲状腺癌的特异性较高。当彩超发现甲状腺结节中有微小钙化时应提高警惕,尤其是微钙化,应进一步做针吸细胞学检查。     

超声诊断甲状腺结节钙化的临床意义

目的:探讨超声诊断甲状腺钙化结节在临床诊治中的意义。方法:回顾分析2009年本院进行手术的227例甲状腺结节患者的临床,彩色多谱勒超声和病理资料。结果:227例甲状腺结节中,43例有钙化,占18.94%(43/227)。甲状腺钙化结节存在于各种病理类型,但恶性甲状腺结节钙化率41.38%(12/29),明显高于良性甲状腺结节钙化率15.66%(31/198),差异有显著性(P<0.005)。在43例存在钙化的甲状腺结节中,微钙化17例,粗钙化26例,微钙化常发生在恶性肿瘤,粗钙化多发生在甲状腺良性病变。结论:彩色多谱勒超声发现甲状腺钙化结节需引起注意,若为微钙化提示甲状腺恶性肿瘤可能性大,应尽早手术治疗,粗钙化提示甲状腺良性疾病可能性大,需密切随诊观察。     

常规超声联合弹性成像应变率比值法对桥本氏甲状腺炎合并甲状腺癌的最佳诊断临界点及其诊断价值

目的 探讨常规超声联合弹性成像应变率比值法用于诊断桥本氏甲状腺炎(hashimoto's thyroiditis,HT)合并甲状腺癌的最佳诊断临界点,并将常规超声联合弹性成像应变率比值法、常规超声、弹性成像应变率比值法分别进行对比研究.方法 随机选取桥本氏甲状腺炎合并甲状腺肿块的患者80例,分别对其进行常规超声检查以及超声弹性成像检查.结果 常规超声检查结果显示HT合并甲状腺癌的敏感度为68.9%,准确度为75.2%,特异度为77.9%.超声弹性成像检查应变率比值法测得的HT合并良性结节的应变率比值远低于HT合并恶性结节比值,且结果具有统计学意义(P<0.05);超声弹性成像检查结果显示HT合并甲状腺癌的敏感度为75.9%,准确度为81.4%,特异度为83.8%.常规超声联合弹性成像应变率比值法诊断HT合并甲状腺癌的敏感度为91.7%,准确度为85.5%,特异度为81.6%.绘制ROC曲线,曲线下面积为(0.912±0.051),根据约登指数最大的切点值,确定3.875为最佳诊断临界点.结论 常规超声联合弹性成像应变率比值法在诊断桥本氏甲状腺炎合并甲状腺癌的最佳诊断临界点方面具有较高的临床价值.     

Atypical thyroid nodules express both HBME-1 and Galectin-3, two phenotypic markers of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Ninety-six thyroid lesions were immunohistochemically evaluated for HBME-1 and Galectin-3 expression including nodules with cytological atypia, the latter defined as nuclear features suggestive but not diagnostic of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Thirty nodules with cytological atypia, 49 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), 4 follicular carcinomas and 13 oxyphilic tumors were examined. Forty-one of the 49 PTCs, 16 atypical thyroid nodules and 3 non-malignant oxyphilic tumors exhibited a combined expression of HBME-1 and Galectin-3. In 6 of the sixteen atypical thyroid nodules the immunoreactivity for both markers was strong and diffuse, simulating the pattern observed in PTC. We conclude that thyroid nodules with cytological atypia and strong/diffuse positivity for both HBME-1 and Galectin-3, two well recognized markers of PTC, represent a starting phenotypic change towards PTC, for which a benign or borderline counterpart has not yet been defined. The expression of HBME-1 and Galectin-3 in some thyroid nodules is related to the presence of cytological atypia suggestive but not diagnostic of PTC. The phenotypic similarity between this subset of thyroid nodules with cytological atypia and PTC is also confirmed by our data according to which Galectin-3 and HBME-1 have been found to be highly sensitive for PTC.     

Indeterminate nodules by the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology in Israel: Frequency,and risk of malignancy after reclassification of follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like features

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the frequency and risk of malignancy (ROM) for indeterminate thyroid nodules, categories III (B3) and IV (B4) of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC), at a large institution in Israel. Additionally, we investigated the impact of redefining follicular neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) as non-malignant on malignancy rates.MethodsIn this retrospective study of all thyroid fine needle aspirations (FNAs) performed at Tel Aviv-Sourasky Medical Center between January 2013 and December 2015, we assessed ROM for B3 and B4 nodules. Potential risk factors thought to affect a-priori ROM were assessed. Suspected NIFTP lesions were re-examined, and if proven, reclassified as benign.Results3701 nodules were sampled in 2919 FNAs performed on 2674 patients. B3 reports comprised 7.7% of all nodules (n = 284); B4 represented 3.6% (n = 132). In multivariate logistic regression, male gender, being of former Soviet Union origin, and smoking increased ROM for B3 nodules by a factor of 7.97 (P = 0.002; CI: 2.2–23.4), 9.15 (P = 0.021; CI:1.4–60.0), and 11.0 (P = 0.001; CI 2.8–44.8), respectively. Reclassifying NIFTP decreased ROM from 14% to 12.5% for B3, and from 26.7% to 25% for B4 nodules. NIFTP comprised 9.5% of previously diagnosed resected malignant tumors.ConclusionsThe relative frequencies of B3 and B4 nodules and their associated malignancy rates were consistent with previous series. Risk factors identified for malignancy may help characterize patients most likely to benefit from surgery. Reclassifying NIFTP had a substantial impact on the ROM in the resected tumors previously diagnosed as malignant.     

Minimally-invasive treatments for benign thyroid nodules: a Delphi-based consensus statement from the Italian minimally-invasive treatments of the thyroid (MITT) group

Benign thyroid nodules are a common clinical occurrence and usually do not require treatment unless symptomatic. During the last years, ultrasound-guided minimally invasive treatments (MIT) gained an increasing role in the management of nodules causing local symptoms. In February 2018, the Italian MIT Thyroid Group was founded to create a permanent cooperation between Italian and international physicians dedicated to clinical research and assistance on MIT for thyroid nodules. The group drafted this list of statements based on literature review and consensus opinion of interdisciplinary experts to facilitate the diffusion and the appropriate use of MIT of thyroid nodules in clinical practice. (#1) Predominantly cystic/cystic symptomatic nodules should first undergo US-guided aspiration; ethanol injection should be performed if relapsing (level of evidence [LoE]: ethanol is superior to simple aspiration = 2); (#2) In symptomatic cystic nodules, thermal ablation is an option when symptoms persist after ethanol ablation (LoE = 4); (#3) Double cytological benignity confirmation is needed before thermal ablation (LoE = 2); (#4) Single cytological sample is adequate in ultrasound low risk (EU-TIRADS ≤3) and in autonomously functioning nodules (LoE = 2); (#5) Thermal ablation may be proposed as first-line treatment for solid, symptomatic, nonfunctioning, benign nodules (LoE = 2); (#6) Thermal ablation may be used for dominant lesions in nonfunctioning multinodular goiter in patients refusing/not eligible for surgery (LoE = 5); (#7) Clinical and ultrasound follow-up is appropriate after thermal ablation (LoE = 2); (#8) Nodule re-treatment can be considered when symptoms relapse or partially resolve (LoE = 2); (#9) In case of nodule regrowth, a new cytological assessment is suggested before second ablation (LoE = 5); (#10) Thermal ablation is an option for autonomously functioning nodules in patients refusing/not eligible for radioiodine or surgery (LoE = 2); (#11) Small autonomously functioning nodules can be treated with thermal ablation when thyroid tissue sparing is a priority and ≥80% nodule volume ablation is expected (LoE = 3).     

Nodule size as predictive factor of efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in treating autonomously functioning thyroid nodules

Context: No defined pre-treatment factors are able to predict the response to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN).

Objective: Primary endpoint was to evaluate the success rate of RFA to restore euthyroidism in a cohort of adult patients with small solitary AFTN compared with medium-sized nodules. Secondary endpoints included nodule volume reduction and rate of conversion from hot nodules to cold using scintiscan.

Methods: This was a 24-month prospective monocentric open parallel-group trial. Twenty-nine patients with AFTN were divided into two groups based on thyroid volume: 15 patients with small nodules (<12?mL) in group A and 14 patients with medium nodules (>12?mL) in group B. All patients underwent a single session of RFA and were clinically, biochemically, and morphologically evaluated at baseline and at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment.

Results: After RFA, there was greater nodule volume reduction in group A compared with group B (p?p?=?0.01), 12 (p?=?0.005), and 24?months (p?p?p?Conclusions: A single session of RFA was effective in restoring euthyroidism in patients with small AFTNs. Nodule volume seems to be a significant predictive factor of the efficacy of RFA in treating AFTN.     

Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Thyroid Nodules in Severely Obese Patients: A Case-Control Study

Background: The association of obesity with the occurrence of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer has beendemonstrated. However, there is limited knowledge on the risk factors of thyroid nodules in in severely obese patients.The aim was to evaluate the occurrence of thyroid nodules in severely obese and nonobese patients and determine thefactors associated considering sociodemographic, lifestyle, and biochemical variables. Methods: This is a case-controlstudy of 134 adults which 67 nonobese, control group, and 67 severely obese (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2), case group. Allparticipants underwent thyroid ultrasound. Results: The occurrence of thyroid nodules in a control group was 13.4% (n= 9), while in a case group was 29.9%, n = 20), difference statistically significant (p = 0.017). Factors associated withthe occurrence of thyroid nodules in severely obese patients were lower mean age (p = 0.022); higher economic class(p = 0.010); nonconsumption of alcohol (p = 0.017); higher fasting glycemia (p = 0.009), fasting insulin (p = 0.001),homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] (p = 0.045), and triglyceride (p = 0.009) mean values;and lower vitamin D3 (p = 0.045) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.041) mean values. Conclusions:Occurrence of thyroid nodules in severely obese patients was higher than nonobese. Lower age at diagnosis, highereconomic level, nonconsumption of alcohol, hyperinsulinemia, higher HOMA-IR scores, and lower vitamin D3 levelswere factors associated with the occurrence of thyroid nodules in severely obese patients.     

Role of ultrasound in the assessment of nodular thyroid disease

The role for ultrasound (US) in the assessment of nodular thyroid disease has increased in recent years. This expanded role has been highlighted in recent consensus guidelines on the management of nodular thyroid disease. In this review, we address the potential roles for US in assessing thyroid nodules and review these recent guidelines. In particular, we review the evidence that US characteristics of thyroid nodules can predict the risk of malignancy. A predominantly solid nodule, hypoechogenicity, microcalcification, macrocalcification, ill‐defined margins, intranodular vascularity, and taller‐than‐wide shape have all been associated with increased risk of malignancy, but no single US characteristic is sufficiently sensitive or specific to exclude or diagnose malignancy by itself. However, the use of combinations of US characteristics to stratify nodules into high and low risk for malignancy appears a promising strategy. Unselected nodules without any suspicious US features have a low risk of malignancy (<2%), whereas malignancy rates are much higher in nodules with at least two suspicious features. Recent guidelines endorse this approach of using combinations of US features to guide nodule selection for fine needle aspiration.     

甲状腺髓样癌的超声成像特征分析及诊断价值评价

目的:分析甲状腺髓样癌（medullary thyroid carcinoma,MTC）的超声特征,研究并探讨超声成像对甲状腺髓样癌的诊断价值。方法:选取来我院就诊的49例甲状腺髓样癌（MTC）患者的68枚结节,与同期随机选取的60例甲状腺乳头状癌（papillary thyroid carcinoma,PTC）的82枚结节做对比,分析两者的二维超声特点、剪切波弹性成像(shear wave elastography,SWE)的各参数及颈部淋巴结转移情况,病灶均有手术及病理评估。结果:MTC声像图表现为低回声（73.5%）,边界清楚（50.0%）,纵横比＜1（89.7%）,结节内伴钙化（60.2%）,结节内存在血流（58.8%）,合并颈部淋巴结转移（55.1%）;与PTC相比,MTC多表现为结节较大,边界清楚,纵横比＜1,结节内存在血流,结节内钙化多为粗大钙化,易发生淋巴结转移（P<0.05）。MTC的SWE各参数为Emax(48.4±19.1)kPa,Emean(32.3±14.5）kPa。淋巴结超声检查,MTC可疑淋巴结22例,诊断准确率为81.5%。结论:MTC既具有恶性结节的一般特点,又有相对特异的超声表现,超声成像对MTC的早期诊断及手术治疗有较大的参考依据。