Avaliação preoperatória de nódulos thireóides: papel da ultrassonografia e da biópsia de aspiraçào por agulha fina, seguida de citologia

PURPOSE:To evaluate the preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules using ultrasound studies and cytology of nodular aspirates. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 2,468 patients with thyroid nodules were examined from 1999 to 2005. All patients were clinically examined and underwent ultrasonography followed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and cytology. RESULTS:Nodules larger than 10 mm were classified ultrasonographically in a 4-tier system and received a score according to the criterion of possible malignancy. Cytological examinations were conducted independently by 2 cytologists and classified as benign (score 1), indeterminate (score 2), suspicious (score 3), and malignant (score 6). Combining both scores, an index was generated that would indicate a higher probability of malignancy (benign, doubtful, suspicious, and malignant). Thyroid surgery was performed in 274 patients. Of those, 115 patients had a score of 2 to 5 and only 8 had a histological diagnosis of thyroid cancer (6.9%). For patients with a score of 5 (n = 51), 11.5% had a malignant lesion, and 51% of the 61 patients with a score of 6 had confirmed thyroid cancer. Of the 98 patients with a combined score of 7 to 10, 99% had a histological confirmation of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: The index score had a sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 77.5%. The overall accuracy was 85.8%. Therefore, we concluded that this methodology may improve the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer in nodules larger than 10 mm. Association with other methods such as color Doppler echography, serum TSH concentration, galectin-3 expression analysis, and FDG/PET scan would be useful in avoiding the higher costs of thyroid surgical procedures.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a possibilidade de diagnóstico pré-operativo de nódulos da tireóide (de diâmetro superior a 10mm) usando ultra-sonografia da glândula tireóide e citologia de punção aspirativa por agulha fina guiada pela ultra-sonografia. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Nódulos tireóideos (maiores que 10mm) foram classificados ultra-sonograficamente em graus de I a IV e escores numéricos de 1 a 4, de acordo com crescente possibilidade de malignidade. O exame citológico, subseqüentemente, classificou os nódulos como benigno (escore 1) indeterminado (escore 2) suspeito (escore 3) e maligno (escore 6). Somando-se os escores obtidos nas duas metodologias obtém-se um índice considerado benigno (índice combinado 2-4), duvidoso (índice combinado 5) suspeito para malignidade (índice combinado 6) e elevada probabilidade de malignidade (índice combinado 7 a 10). Cirurgia da Tireóide foi realizada em 274 pacientes, dos quais 64 apresentavam índice de 2-4; destes, apenas 2 pacientes (3,1%) apresentaram comprovação histológica de câncer. Em pacientes com índice 5 (n= 51), 11,8% apresentaram câncer de tireóide e, em 61 pacientes com índice 6, (n= 31), 51% tiveram diagnóstico confirmado de malignidade. O índice combinado de 7-10 (n= 98) apresentou 99% de pacientes com câncer de tireóide. CONCLUSÕES: O índice combinado apresentou sensibilidade de 94,1% e especificidade de 77,5%. A precisão desta metodologia foi de 85,8%. Concluímos que o índice combinado pode ser útil no diagnóstico pré-cirúrgico do nódulo tireóideo, mormente se associado com outras metodologias como a ecografia com Doppler colorido, nível elevado de TSH sérico, análise de expressão de galectina-3 e imagens por FDG/PET

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the thyroid, determination of ioduria and iodine concentration in kitchen salt used by schoolchildren in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

OBJETIVO E MÉTODOS: Estudos prévios apontaram Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, como área de carência limítrofe de iodo e, posteriormente, de iodação excessiva. Reavaliando seu estado iódico em 2007-2008, foram analisados 300 escolares entre 8 e 10 anos de idade, procedentes de três escolas de diferentes níveis socioeconômicos e realizadas dosagens de iodo urinário e da concentração de iodo no sal doméstico e ultrassonografia tireoidiana. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: A iodúria foi superior na escola com maior nível socioeconômico, comparada às outras, e a diferença foi significante aos 8 e 10 anos para os meninos (p < 0,0001 e p = 0,0106, respectivamente) e aos 8 e 9 anos para as meninas (p = 0,0024 e p = 0,0154, respectivamente). As concentrações medianas de iodo em amostras de sal doméstico variaram entre 26,6 e 27,8 mg iodo/kg e não foram diferentes nas escolas estudadas. À ultrassonografia, 15,6% das tireoides examinadas apresentaram-se hipoecoicas, sugerindo que elas possam apresentar mudanças em sua arquitetura sem ainda alterar seus volumes.OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: Previous studies have pointed out that Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, is an area of borderline iodine deficiency, later becoming a region of excessive iodination. In a reevaluation of the iodine status of the city in 2007-2008, 300 schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 years were evaluated, from 3 schools of 3 different socioeconomic levels who were submitted to the determination of iodine concentration in urine samples and in kitchen salt and thyroid ultrasound. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Among boys and girls ioduria was higher in the school of highest socioeconomic level compared to the others, with a significant difference in the ages 8 and 10 years for boys with ranges : p < 0,0001 and p = 0,0106, respectively; and in the ages 8 and 9 years for girls with ranges: p = 0,0024 and p = 0,0154, respectively. Median iodine concentrations in samples of kitchen salt ranged from 26.6 to 27.8 mg iodine/kg and did not differ between the schools studied. Ultrasound evaluation revealed that 15,6% of thyroids examined were hypoechoic, suggesting that these glands may present changes in the architecture not reflected yet in their volume

The Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Elderly Cardiology Patients with Mild Excessive Iodine Intake in the Urban Area of São Paulo

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in elderly cardiac patients in an outpatient setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 399 consecutive patients (268 women, age range 60-92 years) who were followed at Heart Institute were evaluated for thyroid dysfunction with serum free T4, TSH, anti-Peroxidase antibodies, urinary iodine excretion measurements and thyroid ultrasound. RESULTS: Hyperthyroidism (overt and subclinical) was present in 29 patients (6.5%), whereas hypothyroidism (overt and subclinical) was found in 32 individuals (8.1%). Cysts were detected in 11 patients (2.8%), single nodules were detected in 102 (25.6%), and multinodular goiters were detected in 34 (8.5%). Hashimoto's thyroiditis was present in 16.8% patients, most of whom were women (83.6%). The serum TSH increased with age and was significantly higher (p= <0.01) in patients, compared to the normal control group. No significant differences in serum TSH and free T4 values were observed when patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) where compared with those without arrhythmia. The median urinary iodine levels were 210 µg/L (40-856 µg/L), and iodine levels were higher in men than in women (p<0.01). Excessive iodine intake (urinary iodine >300 µg/L) was observed in one-third of patients (30.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients have a higher prevalence of both hypo- and hyperthyroidism as well as thyroid nodules when compared with the general population. About one-third of the older patients had elevated urinary secretion of iodine and a higher prevalence of chronic Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is recommended that ultrasonographic studies, tests for thyroid function and autoimmunity should be evaluated in elderly patients

Preoperative evaluation of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules with 18F-FDG PET

Esse artigo tem o objetivo de discutir o papel da tomografia por emissão de pósitrons (PET) com 18F-FDG na avaliação pré-operatória de pacientes com nódulos de tireóide com citologia indeterminada. Para o cálculo da sensibilidade, foram selecionados todos os estudos com pacientes com carcinoma de tireóide. Para o cálculo da especificidade, foram selecionados apenas estudos desenhados para avaliação dos pacientes com nódulos com citologia indeterminada. O achado de captação focal na PET-18F-FDG relacionou-se com a presença de carcinoma de tireóide na maioria dos estudos. A sensibilidade do exame foi bastante alta na detecção de malignidade tireoidiana, porém sua especificidade variou de 0% a 66%, sendo de 39% em estudo brasileiro. Concluindo, os estudos indicam que a PET-18F-FDG pode reduzir o número de tireoidectomias desnecessárias em pacientes com nódulos de tireóide com citologia indeterminada. Entretanto, o percentual relativamente elevado de resultados falso-positivos, o alto custo, a baixa disponibilidade do exame em países em desenvolvimento e a pouca experiência clínica ainda limitam o uso da PET-18F-FDG com essa finalidade.The aim of this article is to discuss the role of 18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in the preoperative evaluation of patients with cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. All studies with patients with thyroid cancer were selected to the calculation of sensitivity. Only studies aiming to evaluate patients with thyroid nodules whose cytological result was indeterminate were selected to establish the specificity. The finding of focal 18F-FDG uptake at PET was associated with the presence of thyroid malignancy in most of the studies. The sensitivity of the exam to the detection of thyroid malignancy was extremely high, but the specificity varied from 0 to 66%. In our experience, the specificity was 39%. In conclusion, the studies suggest that 18F-FDG PET can reduce the number of unnecessary thyroidectomies performed in patients with cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. However, the relatively high percentage of false positive results, the high costs, the low availability of this exam in developing countries and the low clinical experience still restrict the use of 18F-FDG PET when recommended with this aim

Approach to and Treatment of Goiters

The main causes of simple diffuse goiter (SDG) and multinodular goiter (MNG) are iodine deficiency, increase in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, natural goitrogens, smoking, chronic malnutrition, and lack of selenium, iron, and zinc. Increasing evidence suggests that heredity is equally important. Treatment of SDG and MNG still focuses on L-thyroxine-suppressive therapy surgery. Radioiodine alone or preceded by recombinant human TSH stimulation is widely used in Europe and other countries. Each of these therapeutic options has advantages and disadvantages, with acute and long-term side effects.Instituto da Tiroide-Sao Paulo, BrazilInstituto da TiroideSao Paulo, Brazi

Preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules: role of ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration biopsy followed by cytology

PURPOSE:To evaluate the preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules using ultrasound studies and cytology of nodular aspirates. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 2,468 patients with thyroid nodules were examined from 1999 to 2005. All patients were clinically examined and underwent ultrasonography followed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and cytology. RESULTS:Nodules larger than 10 mm were classified ultrasonographically in a 4-tier system and received a score according to the criterion of possible malignancy. Cytological examinations were conducted independently by 2 cytologists and classified as benign (score 1), indeterminate (score 2), suspicious (score 3), and malignant (score 6). Combining both scores, an index was generated that would indicate a higher probability of malignancy (benign, doubtful, suspicious, and malignant). Thyroid surgery was performed in 274 patients. Of those, 115 patients had a score of 2 to 5 and only 8 had a histological diagnosis of thyroid cancer (6.9%). For patients with a score of 5 (n = 51), 11.5% had a malignant lesion, and 51% of the 61 patients with a score of 6 had confirmed thyroid cancer. Of the 98 patients with a combined score of 7 to 10, 99% had a histological confirmation of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: The index score had a sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 77.5%. The overall accuracy was 85.8%. Therefore, we concluded that this methodology may improve the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer in nodules larger than 10 mm. Association with other methods such as color Doppler echography, serum TSH concentration, galectin-3 expression analysis, and FDG/PET scan would be useful in avoiding the higher costs of thyroid surgical procedures

Thyroid and the environment: exposure to excessive nutritional iodine increases the prevalence of thyroid disorders in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT) and iodine-induced hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism (overt and subclinical). and goiter in a population exposed to excessive iodine intake for 5 years (table salt iodine concentrations: 40-100 mg/kg salt). Design: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study with 1085 participants randomly selected from a metropolitan area in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and conducted during the first semester of 2004. Methods: Thyroid ultrasound examination was performed in all participants and samples of urine and blood were collected from each subject. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, urinary iodine concentration. thyroid volume, and thyroid echogenicity were evaluated. We also analyzed table salt iodine concentrations. Results: At the time the study was conducted, table salt iodine concentrations were within the new official limits (20-60 mg/kg salt). Nevertheless, in 45.6%, of the participants, urinary iodine excretion was excessive (above 300 mu g/l) and, in 14.1%, it was higher than 400 mu g/l. The prevalence of CAT (including atrophic thyroiditis) was 16.9% (183/1085), women were more affected than men (21.5 vs 9.1% respectively, P=0.02). Hypothyroidism was detected in 8.0%, (87/1085) of the Population with CAT. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in 3.3% of the individuals (36/1085) and goiter was identified in 3.1% (34/1085). Conclusions: Five years of excessive iodine intake by the Brazilian population may have increased the prevalence of CAT and hypothyroidism in subjects genetically predisposed to thyroid autoimmune diseases. Appropriate screening for early detection of thyroid dysfunction may be considered during excessive nutritional iodine intake.FAPESP State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation[03/00827-0]Instituto da Tiroid

Excessive Iodine Intake and Ultrasonographic Thyroid Abnormalities in Schoolchildren

High nutritional levels of iodine may induce a higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis,hypothyroidism, goiter, as well as hyperthyroidism, mostly in the elderly. This study assessed thyroid volume and ultrasonographic abnormalities as well as urinary iodine excretion (UIE) in 964 schoolchildren living in an iodine-sufficient area in southern Brazil. Thyroid volume correlated with age and body surface area in boys and girls. In 76.8% of the children, UIE was above 300 mu g/l, with higher levels among boys compared to girls (484.2 mu g/l vs 435.3 mu g/l, p <0.001). Thyroid abnormalities detected by ultrasonography included hemiagenesis (0.5%), nodules (0.2%), cysts (0.7%), and hypoechogenicity (11.7%). Goiter was present in 1.9% of the children. Hypoechogenicity, a relevant marker of autoimmune thyroiditis, was the most common abnormality found in our study, and this may be linked to excessive iodine intake