Korean J Med.
2005 Nov;69(5):474-480.
The characteristics of non palpable thyroid nodule and relation to prediction of malignant nodule
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. jugkim@knu.ac.kr
- 2Department of Nuclearmedicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
- 3Department of radiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are commonly encountered in clinical practice and a p revalence of general population is 19~67% by ultrasonography. We made a study to investigate clinical characteristics, malignancy ratio of thyroid incidentalomas and predicting factors for diagnosis of malignancy, to provide recommendation for evaluation.
METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 320 patients who visited Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 2001 to December 2003 with non palpable thyroid nodules. We reviewed physical examination, ultrasonographic findings, laboratory findings, histology of thyroid nodules and did statististic analysis to examine relationship to malignancy.
RESULTS
52 patients revealed papillary carcinomas and malignancy rate whin incidentalomas is 9.3%. Sonographic findings of solid structure, hypoechogenecity, punctate calcification, ill defined margin, irregular shape showed meaningful diagnostic value for malignancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Combination of meaningful sonographic findings increased possibility of maliganancy and require active mangements including recurrent fine needle aspiration and surgery if needed.
