Approach to the Thyroid Nodule Flashcards
label the basic thyroid anatomy
besides a thyroid nodule, what else could the neck mass be?
- congenital; thyroglossal duct cysts, branchial cleft cysts, dermoid cysts
- inflammatory: infection, abscess, lymphadenitis
- neoplastic: metastatic lymph nodes, salivary gland tumors, carotid body tumors
enalrged thyroid?
no. branchial cleft cysts
enlaarged thyroid?
no. submandicular gland tumour; pleomorphic adenoma. it’s too high and lateral.
enlarged thyroid?
yes. huge goiter
Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules
Palpable in 5-10% of all adults
Incidental discovery on ultrasound up to 50%!
Autopsy ~ 50% +
~ 5-10% of all nodules are malignant
which gender is more predisposed to thyroid nodules? age?
females>males :3-4x more prevalent
- age; nodules found in >70% of people over the age of 70.
- countries/regiosn with lower iodine intake or rate of iodine supplementation of salt
benign causes of thyroid nodules
- multinodular goiter
- hashimoto’s thyroiditis (causes hyerthyroid in early stages)
- cysts; collod, simple, hemorrhagic
- follocular adenomas; macro or micro follicular
- hurthle cell adenomas
general aspects of physcial exam when looking at a neck nodules
- location
- does it move while swallowing?
- size
- texture
- borders
- tenderness
- fixed or free?
- pulsaltality
- other symptoms
malignant causes of thyroid nodules
- papillary
- follicular
- hurthle cell
- poorly diferentiatied
- medullary
- thyroid lymphoma
- anaplastic
- metastatic
note different pathogenesis/causes of thyroid cancers
clinical features HIGHLy SUSPICIOUS for malignancy
- rapid growth, especially if on L-__
- very __ or __ nodule
- __ to adjacent strucures
- new persistent __ due to vocal cord paralysis
- regional __ in the lymph nodes
- distant __
- FAMILY HISOTYR of __ __ Cancer or ___ gene
- rapid growth, especially if on L-THYROXINE
- very FIRM or HARD nodule
- FIXATION to adjacent strucures
- new persistent HOARSENESS due to vocal cord paralysis
- regional LYMPHADENOPATHY in the lymph nodes
- distant METASTASES
- FAMILY HISOTYR of MEDULLAR THYROID Cancer or MEN2
Clinical features that increase suspicion for malignancy
- history of head and neck __ treatment
- large _ nodule >4cm
- symptoms of COMPRESSION: __ or __
- incidental discovery on a __ scan.
- history of head and neck RADIATION treatment
- large SOLIDARY nodule >4cm
- symptoms of COMPRESSION: STRIDOR or DYSPHAGIA
- incidental discovery on a PET scan.
Work-up and approach to a thyroid nodule:
imaging; all palpable thyroid nodules and all nodules found incidnetally with other modalities need a dedicated thyroid __.
labs; __ ALONE is all that is required.
imaging; all palpable thyroid nodules and all nodules found incidnetally with other modalities need a dedicated thyroid ULTRASOUND.
labs; TSH ALONE is all that is required.
4 key features on ultrasound of a thyroid nodule that may suggest higher cancer risk
- microcalcification
- irregular borders
- taller than wide
- hypoechoic.
- a combination of these features increases cancer suspicion.
- cannot differentiate between benign and malignant, but may help you to risk stratify nodules for risk of malignancy. You can prioritize the need for biopsy/more frequent evaluation
evaluate
Spongiform nodule- almost always benign