Title: CHANGING CONCEPTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THYROID NODULES
Abstract: Thyroid nodules are commonly found in clinical practice, and their detection by either the physician or the patient always raises the concern of cancer. In fact, fewer than 5% of detected nodules are malignant, which implies a management strategy is appropriate that reliably and regularly identifies the more common benign nodules, avoiding unnecessary surgical treatment. To this end, technologic developments have influenced thyroid nodule examination and treatment. The application of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, the availability of high-resolution ultrasonography, the introduction of new highly sensitive thyrotropin (TSH) assays, and recent information on levothyroxine (T4) suppressive therapy have modified thyroid nodule management. This article describes the progress as well as contemporary controversies in thyroid nodule diagnosis and considers how these advances enter into the treatment of patients with nodular thyroid disease. It includes a brief description of the clinical importance of thyroid nodules; of the use and limitations of imaging studies in thyroid nodule diagnosis; of the usefulness, limitations, and impact of FNA biopsy on nodule management; a discussion of approaches to different thyroid nodules; and cost considerations and practice changes. This review emphasizes strategies that are effective, efficient, and cost-effective.
Publication Year: 1997
Publication Date: 1997-12-01
Language: en
Type: review
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 219
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