Thyroid incidentalomas: to treat or not to treat.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2010;
267:1019-26. [PMID:
20155360 DOI:
10.1007/s00405-010-1207-1]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Incidental lesions of the thyroid gland are an increasing problem facing clinicians. While asymptomatic palpable lesions are detected in only 4-7% of the population, currently available imaging modalities are sensitive enough to detect lesions in 20-30% of the population. Guidelines for managing these incidentalomas are limited, largely due to lack of well-powered prospective studies. This review will address the currently available data on thyroid incidentalomas, detected through clinical examination, cross-sectional imaging, ultrasound, and PET scans. We will focus on the modalities of detection and risk of malignancy, further investigation and management options and the deficiencies therein. We propose a pragmatic algorithm when faced with this clinical dilemma under differing circumstances.
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