1,721,066 research outputs found
Ultrasound risk stratification systems for thyroid nodule: between lights and shadows, we are moving towards a new era
Ultrasound (US) has long played a major role in the assessment of thyroid nodules and their risk of malignancy, and its importance has been further enhanced over the past decade by the development of a number of US-based risk stratification systems (US-RSSs), referred to in some cases as TIRADS (Thyroid Imaging Reporting And Data Systems). The high-risk categories of all currently available US-RSSs display strong associations to cytological diagnostic classes of “malignant/suspicious-for-malignancy” and the low-risk classes are clearly associated to “not neoplastic/benign” cytology. The introduction of these systems has elevated the diagnostic performance of US to a level approaching that of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. The time seems ripe to exploit this new level of accuracy to reduce the number of FNAs for nodules likely to be benign (i.e., sonographically classified as low-risk with no suspicious clinical features). In the near future, US-RSS could also become the main tool for diagnosing papillary thyroid cancers. The establishment of a new “international TIRADS”—currently in progress—will be critical to guide us towards a new era
Thyroid core needle biopsy: taking stock of the situation
Recently, the microhistologic evaluation by core needle biopsy (CNB) has been reported as high accurate to diagnose thyroid nodules with previous indeterminate or not adequate fine-needle aspiration cytology. In addition, sparse data have been reported regarding the use of CNB in other conditions. Aim of this review was to furnish the state of the art of this topic by summarizing published data about the diagnostic performance of CNB in thyroid lesions, and provide an easy to use reference for clinical practice. Sources encompass studies published through May 2014. Original articles were investigated and following specific aspects were discussed: 1. The “large” needle biopsy in 90’s; 2. Complications by and patient’s comfort with thyroid CNB; 3. Advantages provided by examination of a microhistologic sample of thyroid nodule; 4. Use of CNB in thyroid nodules with previous not adequate (Thy 1/Class 1/Category I) cytology; 5. Use of CNB in thyroid neoplasms (Thy 3/Class 3/Category III–IV) cytology; 6. Use of CNB in specific ultrasonographic presentations of thyroid nodules or in patients with peculiar clinical contexts; 7. First-line approach by CNB in thyroid nodules; 8. Immunohistochemistry and molecular tests on CNB samples; and 9. Future perspective
Cancer prevalence in the subcategories of the indeterminate class III (AUS/FLUS) of the Bethesda system for thyroid cytology: a meta-analysis
Purpose: The indeterminate cytologic report represents a major challenge in the field of thyroid nodule. The indeterminate class III of the Bethesda classification system (i.e., AUS/FLUS) includes a heterogeneous group of subcategories characterized by doubtful nuclear and/or architectural atypia. The study aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the rate of malignancy in each subcategory of Bethesda III. Methods: PubMed, CENTRAL, and Scopus databases were searched until April 2020. Original articles reporting data on the subcategories of Bethesda III were included. The histological diagnosis was the reference standard to classify true/false negative and true/false positive cases. Results: The pooled cancer prevalence in each subcategory of Bethesda III was estimated using a random-effects model. Twenty-three papers with 4241 nodules were included. Overall, 1163 (27.4%) were malignant. The cancer rate observed in the subcategories ranged from 15%, in “Hürthle cell aspirates with low risk pattern”, to 44%, in “Focal cytologic atypia”. Conclusions: The overall cancer rate found in the Bethesda III ranged more largely than that originally estimated (10–30%) and varied among any scenarios. These evidence-based data represent a reference for the clinical management of these patients
A mild Grave's ophthalmopathy during pregnancy
Introduction: Thyroid ophthalmopathy is a complication most commonly associated with Grave’s disease.
The disease course ranges from mild to severe, with severe cases resulting in major visual impairment.
Methods: A complete ophthalmic examination in a 35-year-old secundigravida to 14 weeks of gestation
presented to the hospital for a routine ophthalmological examination with eyelid retraction in the right eye
was made. We studied the course of ocular disease through the gestation with orbit ecography and a 3T MRI.
Results: A diagnosis of Grave’s Ophthalmopathy was made. Conclusion: This case presents an unusual course of
the GD during pregnancy and a normal post-partum relapse, according to the Th1/Th2 balance. The frequent
follow-up and the use of MRI allowed a prompt identification and complete control of the disease
RE: Thyroid Core Needle Biopsy: The Strengths of Guidelines of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology
Performance of Italian Consensus for the Classification and Reporting of Thyroid Cytology (ICCRTC) in discriminating indeterminate lesions at low and high risk of malignancy. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology was published in 2014 and it has been used in almost all Italian institutions. To date, there are not solid data on the reliability of Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology in classifying low and high risk indeterminate nodules (Tir 3A and Tir 3B, respectively). Here, we reviewed and meta-analyzed the results of published articles to obtain evidence-based information on this topic. Research design and methods: A comprehensive literature exploration of online databases was conducted by searching all published papers citing Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology. The search was updated until June 2017, and references of the retrieved articles were also screened. Only original articles reporting histologic follow-up of nodules cytologically classified as Tir 3A and Tir 3B were eligible for inclusion. Results: The literature search revealed 62 articles and six of these were eligible for the study. All papers were retrospective and published very recently. Overall, 423 indeterminate lesions, of which 180 Tir 3A and 243 Tir 3B, were found. Of these, 29 cancers were recorded in Tir 3A and 127 in Tir 3B. The pooled rate of malignancy was 17% (95% CI = 12 to 22%) in Tir 3A and 52% (95% CI = 46 to 58%) in Tir 3B. No significant publication bias was evident. Conclusions: Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology 2014 shows high reliability in discriminating indeterminate lesions at low risk of malignancy from those at high risk
Novel acquisitions in the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma
INTRODUCTION: The correct identification of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has been a challenge since its first description. In the last few years, some advances in this context have been achieved. Here we aimed to review and discuss published data on the more recent acquisition in the diagnosis of MTC. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search of the medical databases was conducted by searching papers reporting tool for diagnosis of MTC published in the last years. The search was updated until July 2016. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The literature search revealed several relevant articles which focused on different topics of the diagnosis of MTC. The results are reported by four paragraphs, such as 1) fine-needle aspiration; 2) molecular analysis; 3) serum markers; 4) imaging. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of calcitonin in FNA washout fluids is essential due to poor accuracy of conventional cytology to detect MTC. Genetic analysis can help to identify those advanced MTC with poorer prognosis who do not respond to chemotherapy. Procalcitonin may in the next future replace calcitonin as serum diagnostic marker of MTC. Recent evidence based data seem to suggest the emerging role of functional imaging in recurrent MTC in patients with calcitonin serum levels >150 pg/mL
Detecting N-RAS Q61R Mutated Thyroid Neoplasias by Immunohistochemistry
Recently, the immunohistochemistry (IHC) for N-RAS Q61R has been developed and commercialized for clinical practice. Here, we investigated the reliability of IHC to identify N-RAS Q61R mutated thyroid neoplasia. A series of 24 consecutive thyroid lesions undergone surgery following indeterminate cytology were enrolled. Paraffin sections were stained for IHC using the rabbit monoclonal anti-human N-RAS Q61R, clone SP174. N-RAS mutations in codon 61 were also investigated by automated sequencing. At histology, 12 cases of follicular carcinoma, cytologically defined as follicular lesions, 1 papillary cancer, 7 follicular adenomas, and 4 hyperplastic nodules were found. Of these, 4 showed a positive IHC for anti N-RAS antibody where N-RAS expression was detected mainly at cytoplasmic level with similar intensity of reaction. The remaining cases had negative IHC. A 100% concordance between IHC and molecular analysis for N-RAS Q61R was observed. In conclusion, this study shows high reliability of IHC to identify N-RAS Q61R mutated thyroid lesions with high cost-effectiveness. These data indicate the reliability of IHC to identify N-RAS Q61R mutated thyroid neoplasia and suggest to adopt this approach for a more accurate management of patients, when indicated
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for benign thyroid nodules: 2-year follow-up results
Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is the last introduced thermal treatment of thyroid nodules. Here we evaluated the results at 24 months after HIFU. Methods: Since 2016, HIFU was considered as a therapeutic option at our institute in patients with benign thyroid nodules presenting local symptoms. We searched in our database all patients who had undergone thyroid HIFU and selected for the study only cases followed-up for at least 24 months after the treatment. Volume reduction rate (VRR) was evaluated. A reduction above 50% defined the success of HIFU. Results: Thirty-one nodules of 31 patients (24 females and 7 males, median age 67 years) with median major diameter from 17 to 34 mm and estimated nodule volume of 5.48 mL were included. HIFU was performed with median power of 42 W/site (interquartile range 25–45) and median energy of 263 J/site (interquartile range 225–273). Median duration of the procedure was 6 min (interquartile range 5–7). At 2 years after HIFU, nodule volume was significantly (p < 0.0001) lower (i.e., 3.40 mL) with VRR of 43.3%, and 26 (83.9%) lesions were reduced. A reduction by at least 50% was observed at 6, 12, and 24 months in 2 (6.4%), 5 (16.1%), and 7 (22.5%) nodules, respectively. Visual analog score showed a significant improvement (p < 0.0001). No complications were recorded. Conclusions: A reduction of benign thyroid nodule by more than 40% could be reached within 1 year by HIFU. Given the non-significant size increase of some lesions later, a larger study with a longer follow-up is necessary
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