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Thyroid Incidentalomas: Prevalence by Palpation and Ultrasonography

Thyroid Incidentalomas: Prevalence by Palpation and Ultrasonography Abstract Background: Thyroid nodules are commonly identified on autopsy examination. There are relatively few descriptions, however, of the frequency with which thyroid nodules are encountered incidentally during the course of other investigations. Method: Prospective study to examine the prevalence of thyroid nodules in asymptomatic North American subjects, with palpation findings compared with findings on high-resolution ultrasonography. Results: Palpable nodules were identified in 21 (21%) of 100 subjects, with nine solitary nodules (9%) and 12 multiple nodules (12%). In comparison, only 33 subjects were found to be free of any nodules by ultrasonography. Of the 67 subjects with abnormal ultrasound findings, 22 had solitary nodules (22%) and 45 had multiple nodules (45%). The prevalence of nodules was greater in women (72%) than in men (41%) (P<.02). A concordance rate of 49% was noted between ultrasound and findings by palpation. Conclusions: The data indicate that thyroid abnormalities are very common incidental findings, emphasizing the need for a conservative approach when such lesions are encountered incidentally.(Arch Intern Med. 1994;154:1838-1840) References 1. Mortenson JD, Woolner LB, Bennett WA. Gross and microscopic findings in clinically normal thyroid glands . J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1955;15:1270-1280.Crossref 2. Stark DD, Clark OH, Gooding GA, Moss AA. High-resolution ultrasonography and computed tomography of thyroid lesions in patients with hyperparathyroidism . Surgery. 1983;94:863-868. 3. Carroll BA. Asymptomatic thyroid nodules: incidental sonographic detection . AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1982;138:499-501.Crossref 4. Brander A, Viikinkoski P, Nickels J, Kivisaari L. Thyroid gland: US screening in a random adult population . Radiology. 1991;181:683-687.Crossref 5. Woestyn J, Afschrift M, Schelstraete K, Vermeulen A. Demonstration of nodules in the normal thyroid by echography . Br J Radiol. 1985;58:1179-1182.Crossref 6. Turnbridge WMG, Evered DC, Hall R, et al. The spectrum of thyroid disease in a community: the Whickham Survey . Clin Endocrinol Oxf. 1977;7:481-493.Crossref 7. Simeone JF, Daniels GH. Mueller PR, et al. High resolution real time sonography of the thyroid . Radiology. 1982;145:431-435.Crossref 8. Vander JB, Gaston EA, Dawber TR. The significance of nontoxic thyroid nodules: final report of a 15 year study of the incidence of thyroid malignancy . Ann Intern Med. 1968;69:537-540.Crossref 9. Katz JF, Kane RA, Reyes J, Clarke M, Hill T. Thyroid nodules: sonographic-pathologic correlation . Radiology. 1984;151:741-745.Crossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Internal Medicine American Medical Association

Thyroid Incidentalomas: Prevalence by Palpation and Ultrasonography

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References (9)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-9926
eISSN
1538-3679
DOI
10.1001/archinte.1994.00420160075010
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract Background: Thyroid nodules are commonly identified on autopsy examination. There are relatively few descriptions, however, of the frequency with which thyroid nodules are encountered incidentally during the course of other investigations. Method: Prospective study to examine the prevalence of thyroid nodules in asymptomatic North American subjects, with palpation findings compared with findings on high-resolution ultrasonography. Results: Palpable nodules were identified in 21 (21%) of 100 subjects, with nine solitary nodules (9%) and 12 multiple nodules (12%). In comparison, only 33 subjects were found to be free of any nodules by ultrasonography. Of the 67 subjects with abnormal ultrasound findings, 22 had solitary nodules (22%) and 45 had multiple nodules (45%). The prevalence of nodules was greater in women (72%) than in men (41%) (P<.02). A concordance rate of 49% was noted between ultrasound and findings by palpation. Conclusions: The data indicate that thyroid abnormalities are very common incidental findings, emphasizing the need for a conservative approach when such lesions are encountered incidentally.(Arch Intern Med. 1994;154:1838-1840) References 1. Mortenson JD, Woolner LB, Bennett WA. Gross and microscopic findings in clinically normal thyroid glands . J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1955;15:1270-1280.Crossref 2. Stark DD, Clark OH, Gooding GA, Moss AA. High-resolution ultrasonography and computed tomography of thyroid lesions in patients with hyperparathyroidism . Surgery. 1983;94:863-868. 3. Carroll BA. Asymptomatic thyroid nodules: incidental sonographic detection . AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1982;138:499-501.Crossref 4. Brander A, Viikinkoski P, Nickels J, Kivisaari L. Thyroid gland: US screening in a random adult population . Radiology. 1991;181:683-687.Crossref 5. Woestyn J, Afschrift M, Schelstraete K, Vermeulen A. Demonstration of nodules in the normal thyroid by echography . Br J Radiol. 1985;58:1179-1182.Crossref 6. Turnbridge WMG, Evered DC, Hall R, et al. The spectrum of thyroid disease in a community: the Whickham Survey . Clin Endocrinol Oxf. 1977;7:481-493.Crossref 7. Simeone JF, Daniels GH. Mueller PR, et al. High resolution real time sonography of the thyroid . Radiology. 1982;145:431-435.Crossref 8. Vander JB, Gaston EA, Dawber TR. The significance of nontoxic thyroid nodules: final report of a 15 year study of the incidence of thyroid malignancy . Ann Intern Med. 1968;69:537-540.Crossref 9. Katz JF, Kane RA, Reyes J, Clarke M, Hill T. Thyroid nodules: sonographic-pathologic correlation . Radiology. 1984;151:741-745.Crossref

Journal

Archives of Internal MedicineAmerican Medical Association

Published: Aug 22, 1994

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