Objectives: To provide a
specific diagnostic print based on
the ecographic characteristics
of the thyroid nodules. To
publish the casuistry of benign
and malign nodules in our hospital
center.
Material and methods: An
ultrasound and Fine needle
aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was
carried out, in 18 to 55 yearsold
female patients who
presented palpable thyroid
nodules and non palpable
thyroid nodules in patients with
inherited background of thyroid
cancer, in the period between
March 1 to August 31, 2008.
Results: 72 patients were
included in this study, who
were classified in two groups:
those that presented nodules of
benign ecographic characteristics
(46) and those that presented
nodules of malign ecographic
characteristics (26); both groups
were submitted to FNAB, later on,
the definitive cytological result was
correlated with the ultrasonographic
result, finding in this last one, a
sensibility of 96%, a specificity
of 76%, a positive predictive
value of 46% and a negative of
98%. The characterization of the
nodules was carried out mainly
due to its ecogenicity degree, size,
calcifications, and vascularity and
if an association of cervical
adenopathies existed.
Analysis: The result of our
work coincides with that of other
researchers who point out the
hypoechoic nodule like suspect of
malignancy. Garrete et al, report that
79% of the malign lesions of the
thyroid (carcinomas) were of
hypoechoic nature.
Conclusions: It was determined
that the solid hyper or isoechogenic
and mixed thyroid nodules (with
cystic component) with thick
calcifications were benign and those
solid, hypoechogenic, with fine
calcifications, associated to cervical
adenopathies were related to thyroid
cancer.
Key words: Thyroid nodules,
ultrasonographic characterization,
predictive value for FNAB.
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