An analysis of fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid in children and adolescents

Punção Aspirativa da Tireóide por Agulha Fina. Correlação Cito-Histológica: Estudo Baseado em 50 Casos

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a eficácia da punção aspirativa por agulha fina (PAAF) da tireóide comparando-a com o diagnóstico histopatológico. Os autores avaliaram os resultados citológicos de 50 pacientes atendidos no período de dezembro de 1995 a julho de 1997, nos Departamentos de Citopatologia, Anatomia Patológica e Cirurgia da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. No mesmo período foram realizados 256 PAAF de tireóide, sendo que somente 50 pacientes foram à cirurgia e puderam ter os diagnósticos citológicos comparados aos histológicos. O grupo estudado consistiu em 40 mulheres e 10 homens, com idades variando entre 10 e 79 anos, sendo a maior incidência observada nas 4ª e 5ª décadas. Baseando-se na comparação dos diagnósticos, os autores obtiveram as taxas de sensibilidade (80%), especificidade (100%), valor preditivo positivo (100%), valor preditivo negativo (89,5%) e acurácia (92,6%). De acordo com estes resultados, pôde-se concluir que a PAAF é um método seguro, eficiente e confiável no diagnóstico dos nódulos tireoidianos.

Ultrasound and the Evaluation of Pediatric Thyroid Malignancy: Current Recommendations for Diagnosis and Follow-up

Ultrasound (US) plays a critical role in the evaluation, treatment, screening, and surveillance of thyroid malignancy in pediatric patients. This review aims to summarize recent advances in this topic. Improvements in imaging technology have amplified the advantage of US and US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy for thyroid nodule evaluation, cancer diagnosis, and surgical planning. Ultrasound has a definitive screening role for early cancer detection in high-risk patients, including those with a history of radiation exposure from childhood treatments, environmental radiation disasters, or hereditary/familial cancer syndromes. Finally, US is a key component of lifelong surveillance for recurrence among pediatric thyroid cancer survivors.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting as acute suppurative thyroiditis: A case report and review of the literature

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition. We report the case of a 17-year-old male who initially presented with a thyroid abscess. Due to persistent symptoms and lack of evidence for underlying predisposing factors, he was followed closely and subsequently diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. He was successfully managed with surgery. His clinical course, radiological evaluation, and pathology reports are presented here along with a review of the literature. This case of papillary thyroid cancer highlights the need for close follow-up of patients presenting with a thyroid abscess, when other predisposing risk factors are not evident.

Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features in the pediatric age group

BACKGROUND

The most common malignant thyroid neoplasm in children is papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In 2015, the Endocrine Pathology Society introduced the terminology "noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features" (NIFTP) to replace the noninvasive follicular variant of PTC. The objective of the current study was to evaluate previously diagnosed PTC in the pediatric population, reappraise it for NIFTP, and discuss the impact of NIFTP on the risk of malignancy (ROM) for each The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology category in the pediatric population.

METHODS

The electronic databases of both study institutions were searched for all thyroidectomy specimens in patients aged <19 years from June 1, 2001 through June 1, 2016. The patient's age, sex, diagnosis, previous fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosis, and follow-up were tabulated. Slides for available cases were reviewed and cases qualifying as NIFTP were separated.

RESULTS

The cohort included 101 resected nodules; cytological diagnoses were available for 95 cases. These cases included diagnoses of nondiagnostic (5 cases; 5.2%), benign (21 cases; 22.1%), atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (9 cases; 9.5%), follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) (25 cases; 26.3%), suspicious for malignancy (7 cases; 7.4%), and malignant (28 cases; 29.5%). On the histological follow-up, 50 cases (49.5%) were benign, 49 cases (48.5%) were malignant, and 2 cases (1.9%) were NIFTP. These NIFTP cases originally were diagnosed as FNs on fine-needle aspiration cytology. The average ROM for FNs with and without NIFTPs was 28% and 25%, respectively CONCLUSIONS: According to our rate of 1.9% for NIFTPs on reappraisal for resected nodules, this entity is likely to be less frequent in the pediatric population due to the higher prevalence of PTCs and/or more aggressive variants. NIFTPs do not appear to affect the ROM for The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology categories in the pediatric population. However, large-scale studies are necessary to determine whether NIFTPs could affect the pediatric population. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:27-35. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Evaluation and management of the pediatric thyroid nodule

Thyroid nodules are commonly diagnosed in adults. Although rare in children, the risk for thyroid cancer is much higher in the pediatric population compared with adults. Presenting as either a solitary nodule or a multinodular goiter, thyroid nodular disease in children requires a thorough workup that includes a detailed clinical examination comprised of prior history of thyroid disease in the patient or in their family, history of radiation exposure, careful palpation of the thyroid and lymph nodes, blood tests, ultrasonography, and cytological assessment. Thyroid surgery is the gold-standard treatment for pediatric thyroid nodules; nonetheless, the extent of surgery remains controversial. Because surgery is not without risk, the decision matrix necessitates focus on the benefits of surgery for the child contingent upon all the preoperative exams. New diagnostic technology such as molecular testing with fine needle aspiration biopsy may help distinguish between benign and malignant lesions while potentially decreasing surgery for benign disease. The objective of this review is to summarize new concepts in clinical disease management of nodular thyroid disease in the pediatric population, including patient history, medical examination, and diagnosis workup.

Efficacy and Pitfalls of FNAC of Thyroid Lesions in Children and Adolescents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Fine-needle aspiration has proven safe and efficacious in the evaluation of nodular diseases in the adults. It has been used extensively to select patients for surgical exploration with a high degree of reliability. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of its applicability in thyroid lesions in children and adolescents, as well as to determine distribution of thyroid lesions in pediatric and adolescent patients in whom the prevalence of thyroid nodules and probability of malignancy are different.

METHODOLOGY

This is a four-year study undertaken between January 2009 and December 2012, during which, 284 fine-needle aspiration cytology were performed for palpable thyroid lesions in children and adolescents and analysed. Out of these 11, 52, 82 and 116 aspirates belonged to the age group between 7-<12 years, 12 -<16 years, 16 -<19 years, 19-21 years respectively. There were 261 (91.9%) satisfactory aspirates and 23 unsatisfactory aspirates (8.1%). These 261 satisfactory aspirates with adequate cellular material were taken up for interpretation and analysed. Thirty one patients underwent thyroidectomy. There were 4 true positives, 24 true negatives, 2 false positives and one false negative case in this study. Sensitivity, Specificity, Accuracy, Positive predictive value and Negative predictive value were calculated.

RESULTS

Benign cytology was reported in 89 cases (34.2%) where 11 cases (4.2%) were males. Thyroiditis was observed in 154 cases (59%) and 8 cases (3.1%) were males. Suspicious cytology was reported in 12 cases and comprised of 2 cases with a suspicion of Papillary Carcinoma and 10 cases (3.8%), with a suspicion of a Follicular lesion. Papillary Carcinoma was detected on 6 cases where all were females. The Sensitivity was 96%, Specificity was 66% and the Accuracy was 90%, Positive predictive value was 66%, Negative predictive value was 96%.

CONCLUSION

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of palpable thyroid lesions in children and adolescents is a good screening test because of its high sensitivity. Majority of the nodules in this age-group are benign and fine-needle aspiration cytology helps prevent unnecessary surgery.

Thyroid nodules in pediatrics: which ones can be left alone, which ones must be investigated, when and how

Thyroid nodules are less frequent in childhood than in adulthood, but are more often malignant. Recent estimates suggest that up to 25% of thyroid nodules in children are malignant, therefore, a more aggressive approach is recommended. In this review, we suggest an approach based on a first-step clinical, laboratory, and sonographic evaluation. A history of irradiation of the neck, cranium or upper thorax, previous thyroid diseases or thyroid neoplasms in the family should alert clinicians as being associated with a greater likelihood of malignant nodules. Signs or symptoms of hyperthyroidism and dysmorphic features should be carefully considered during the physical examination. Palpable firm lymph nodes, found in some 70% of cases, are the most significant clinical finding in children with malignant nodules. Although the routine determination of calcitonin levels is not uniformly practiced, it can help recognize sporadic or familial medullary thyroid neoplasms. Blood thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and free triiodothyronine determinations (the latter in case of symptoms of hyperthyroidism) are aimed at identifying the few hyperthyroid patients, for whom the next step should be scintiscan. Hyperthyroid patients usually disclose an increased uptake, and a diagnosis of toxic adenoma is commonly made. Cases with normal thyroid function or hypothyroidism (which is usually subclinical) should be evaluated by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). In eu/hypo-thyroid patients, scintiscan provides poor diagnostic information and should not be routinely employed. Thyroid ultrasonography is used to select cases for FNAB. Although ultrasound cannot reliably discriminate between benign and malignant lesions, it does provide an index of suspicion. Sonographic features that increase the likelihood of malignancy are microcalcifications, lymph node alterations, nodule growth under levothyroxine treatment, and increased intranodular vascularization demonstrated by color Doppler. There is growing evidence that elastography may provide further information on nodule characteristics. FNAB is indicated in all cases with a likelihood of malignancy. FNAB has a diagnostic accuracy of approximately 90% and is used in selection of patients which require surgery. Recently, histological markers and elastography have been introduced to increase the specificity of FNAB and ultrasound, respectively. The pitfall in FNAB cytology is the follicular cytology, in which it is not possible to distinguish between adenoma and carcinoma and therefore thyroidectomy is advised.

Sensitivity of fine-needle biopsy in detecting pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) are uncommon in children. Since the frequency of malignancy is assumed to be high in pediatric symptomatic thyroid nodules, carcinomas should be ruled out reliably. The objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity of fine-needle biopsy (FNB) in diagnosing children with DTC.

PROCEDURE

We retrospectively analyzed 15 years of data from the GPOH-MET registry, a database by the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH) with a focus on malignant endocrine tumors (MET). We reviewed data on pediatric patients with DTC who had undergone FNB. FNB results were classified according to well-established guidelines.

RESULTS

During the study period, 206 children with a histological diagnosis of DTC were entered into the GPOH-MET database. Fifty of those patients aged 3.6-17.3 years (mean, 12.3 years) had undergone FNB preoperatively. Forty-one were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), seven with follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), and two had DTC not otherwise specified. Of the first FNB performed on each patient, the cytological specimens were diagnosed as benign in 13 cases, malignant in 14, suspicious in 9, follicular neoplasms in 6, and unsatisfactory in 8. The sensitivity of FNB in detecting DTC was 69.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results reflect the current practice of pediatric thyroid FNB in Germany. In order to improve its usefulness, FNB should always be performed by experienced physicians. Furthermore, a central review of all specimens is necessary to ascertain the validity of the cytological diagnosis and to introduce immunocytological and molecular methods.

Fine-needle aspiration in the evaluation of thyroid lesions in children

The role of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in the evaluation of thyroid lesions in not as well established in children when compared with adults. Hence we aimed to ascertain the utility and limitations of FNA in childhood thyroid lesions. This was a retrospective analysis of all thyroid FNA performed in children less than 14 years of age over a 4-year period (2005-2009). Histopathological follow-up was available in six cases. A total of 77 cases were included in the analysis. The most common cytological diagnosis was lymphocytic thyroiditis (49.3%), followed by colloid goiter (18.2%), hyperplasia (10.4%), and benign aspirate (7.8%); malignancy was identified in six cases (7.8%). Of these six cases, three were papillary thyroid carcinoma. There was one false-positive case reported as a Hurthle-cell neoplasm, which on histology showed Hashimoto's thyroiditis. One case each of rhabdomyosarcoma and spindle epithelial tumor with thymus like differentiation was wrongly diagnosed as thyroid neoplasm, NOS, and medullary carcinoma (spindle variant), respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 98.6% with 100% sensitivity, 98.6% specificity, 80% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value. FNA is extremely valuable in the initial evaluation of thyroid swelling in children. Rare neoplasms masquerading as thyroid nodules in children can pose difficulties in diagnosis; however, papillary carcinoma is easily recognized. In lymphocytic thyroiditis, it provides a tissue diagnosis, thereby avoiding more invasive procedure for merely diagnostic purposes.

Latin American Thyroid Society recommendations for the management of thyroid nodules

Several guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancer have recently been published. However, recommended practices are not always appropriate to different settings or countries. The aim of this consensus was to develop Clinical Guidelines for evaluation and management of patients with thyroid nodules applicable to Latin American countries. The panel was composed by 13 members of the Latin American Thyroid Society involved with research and management of thyroid nodules and cancer from different medical centers in Latin America. The consensus was produced based on the expert opinion of the panel with use of principles of evidence-based medicine. Following a group meeting, a first draft based on the expert opinion of the panel was elaborated and later circulated among panel members for further revision. After revision, this document was submitted to all LATS members for commentaries and considerations and finally revised and refined by the authors. The final recommendations represent state of the art on management of thyroid nodules applied to all Latin American countries.

Pediatric thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is conflicting evidence in the current literature regarding the use of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy in the diagnosis of a thyroid nodule in the pediatric population. There are numerous studies that look at the sensitivity and specificity of this test with varying results. A meta-analysis will provide further insight into this topic.

PURPOSE

Our objective was to investigate the diagnostic parameters of FNA biopsy in the diagnosis of a thyroid nodule in the pediatric population, specifically, to determine the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the test in differentiating malignant vs benign tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a literature search of Medline, Embase, and evidence based medicine (EBM) reviews for English studies that looked at FNA biopsy in thyroid nodules in the pediatric population, in which diagnostic values were present or could be calculated and where FNA results were compared to an acceptable reference standard. Two reviewers independently selected all abstracts, and from these, studies to review. Two reviewers also independently checked diagnostic values in the studies or calculated them from data available. A meta-analysis was performed, and pooled diagnostic test values were calculated using a random-effects, bivariate meta-regression model. Studies were also assessed for quality using the quality assessment for diagnostic accuracy studies tool.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included for review. The quality of the studies in general was good. The pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity were 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86%-100%) and 81% (95% CI, 72%-91%), respectively. Assuming 20% of nodules are malignant, the accuracy, PPV, and NPV were 83.6%, 55.3%, and 98.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis provides good evidence that FNA biopsy of thyroid nodules is a sensitive test in the pediatric population and may be a useful tool for excluding malignancy in young patients. Future prospective studies are needed to evaluate this further.

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration in the management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

The reported incidence of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents is estimated to be between 1% and 2%. However, this incidence may be increasing because diagnostic radiological procedures are detecting incidental thyroid nodules in children. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents.

METHODS

Forty-two children (mean age, 14.75 years) underwent US-FNA of 52 thyroid nodules. The specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, and unsatisfactory rates were compared to other similar studies.

RESULTS

Six patients had a cytological diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer, which was confirmed at surgery. There were no false-negative specimens, and cytological diagnostic accuracy was 93.7%. The inadequate rate was only 1.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

US-FNA of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents is highly accurate in experienced hands and is associated with a very low inadequate rate.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 3-year-old child: case report

Thyroid cancers account for 0.5-3.0% of all childhood malignancies. These cancers are exceedingly rare at ages younger than 5 years. Although the disease is biologically more aggressive in children when compared with adults, the prognosis is better. There are only few case reports in the literature describing papillary thyroid carcinoma under age 5. In this case report, a 3-year-old child with bilateral multiple masses on the neck that were present for 6 months and who was diagnosed with thyroid papillary carcinoma is presented, and the diagnosis and therapy of the disease is discussed.

Differentiated Pediatric Thyroid Cancer: Correlates With Adult Disease, Controversies in Treatment

The biologic behavior of differentiated thyroid cancer can differ between adults and children, especially in those children younger than 10 years of age. Unlike adults, young children typically present with advanced disease at diagnosis. Despite this, children respond rapidly to therapy and have an excellent prognosis that is significantly better than that of their adult counterparts with advanced disease. In contradistinction to adults, children with thyroid cancer also have higher local and distant disease recurrences with progression-free survival of only 70% at 5 years, mandating life-long surveillance. Although thyroid cancer is the most common carcinoma in children, overall incidence is low, a factor that has prevented performance of a controlled, randomized, prospective study to determine the most efficacious treatment regimen in this age group. So, although extensively investigated, treatment of pediatric patients with differentiated thyroid cancer remains controversial. This article reviews the current controversies in the treatment of pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer, focusing on issues of optimal initial and subsequent therapy as well as that of long-term follow-up. Our approach to treatment is presented. In so doing, similarities and differences between adults and children with differentiated thyroid cancer as regards unique considerations in epidemiology, diagnosis, staging, treatment, therapy-related late effects, and disease surveillance are presented. The expanding use of and appropriate roles for thyrogen and fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in disease evaluation and surveillance will be addressed.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents

Thyroid nodules are uncommon in children and adolescents compared with adults, but the risk of malignancy is much higher. In adults, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has been used extensively to select patients for surgical exploration with a high degree of reliability. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of FNAB for the management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents. We reviewed our experience with 60 FNABs of thyroid nodules in 51 children and adolescents. Of the 60 aspirates, 45 aspirates (74%) were diagnosed as "benign", 5 aspirates (8%) as "suspicious for malignancy", and 6 aspirates (10%) as "malignant", and 4 aspirates (7%) as "unsatisfactory". Thyroidectomy was performed in 17 patients, and 5 with a cytological diagnosis of "benign" revealed nodular hyperplasia in three and follicular adenoma in two; 5 with a cytological diagnosis of "suspicious" revealed nodular hyperplasia in one, follicular adenoma in two, and papillary carcinoma in two; and 6 with a cytological diagnosis of "malignant" revealed papillary carcinoma. One patient with a cytological diagnosis of "unsatisfactory" revealed papillary carcinoma. The diagnostic accuracy was 81% with 100% sensitivity and 63% specificity. The positive and negative predictive values of FNAB were 73% and 100%, respectively. We conclude that FNAB is a good screening test for thyroid nodules in children and adolescents because of its high sensitivity.

Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer in Children: Value of Gray-Scale and Power Doppler US

PURPOSE

To prospectively analyze the accuracy of various diagnostic criteria for cancer in solid thyroid nodules in children on the basis of gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasonographic (US) findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board, and patient's parents gave full informed consent. One hundred three consecutive pediatric patients with solid thyroid nodules were included in the study. Thirty-five patients had thyroid cancer (mean age, 14.6 years +/- 2.6 [standard deviation]; range, 10-18 years), and 68 patients had benign thyroid nodules (mean age, 14.2 years +/- 2.9; range 9-18 years). Three-dimensional US was used to determine the volume of thyroid gland and thyroid nodules. Results of nodule cytologic and histologic examination and long-term clinical and US follow-up were used as a proof of final diagnosis. The following US characteristics were evaluated: location, echogenicity, echotexture, outline, presence of a halo, microcalcifications, and type of vascularization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the accuracy of US criteria for thyroid cancer in lesions with diameter of 15 mm and smaller and lesions with diameter larger than 15 mm. Qualitative variables were compared by using the chi(2) test and quantitative variables were compared by using the Student t test. Significance was defined at P < .05.

RESULTS

In thyroid nodules with diameter of 15 mm and smaller, the most reliable diagnostic criteria for malignancy were an irregular outline (sensitivity, 69.6%; specificity, 86.4%; P < .001), subcapsular location (sensitivity, 65.2%; specificity, 86.4%; P < .001), and increased intranodular vascularization (sensitivity, 69.6%; specificity, 87.9%; P < .01). For thyroid nodules larger than 15 mm in diameter, the accuracy of US diagnosis was much lower than that for smaller nodules. The only reliable criterion for cancer in this group was hypoechogenicity (sensitivity, 60.0%; specificity, 84.0%; P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Study findings indicate that US is most helpful in diagnosis of thyroid malignancy in thyroid nodules with diameter of 15 mm and smaller, with detection of irregular tumor outline, subcapsular location, and increased intranodular vascularization.

Diagnostic aspects of cervical lymphadenopathy in children in the developing world: a study of 1,877 surgical specimens

Chronic cervical lymphadenopathy is a common clinical problem frequently requiring surgical biopsy. To evaluate the characteristics of surgically excised cervical lymph nodes (LN) in children in a developing country, we studied 1,332 children less than 15 years old (1,877 surgically removed cervical LNs) over a 23-year period (1976-1999). Indications for biopsy included failure to respond to antibiotic therapy, rapid increase in size, hard, matted LNs in the preauricular, supraclavicular, and posterior triangle of the neck, and difficulty in diagnosis. Clinical and pathological characteristics investigated included age, malignancy, and granulomatous disease such as tuberculosis (tbc). The mean age was 7 years (tbc 5.8/neoplastic disease 8.5 years). Twenty LNs (1.5%) were histologically normal. There were 637 (47.8%) with nonspecific reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and 484 with chronic granulomatous changes (36.3%). Tuberculous lymphadenitis was confirmed in 332 of these (25%). In 181 (54.5%) Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured and a further 149 had acid-fast bacilli. Other granulomatous diseases identified included sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfmann disease) (3), syphilis (4), yaws (2), and toxoplasmosis (1). No mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis were encountered. More than two-thirds (108) of 154 patients with neoplastic LN involvement had a lymphoma; in a further 10 lymphadenopathy was associated with leukemia. Pyogenic organisms were identified in 32, and 5 were positive for human immunodeficiency virus, 1 of whom had Kaposi's sarcoma. A second pathology was identified in 18 of the 637 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (3 with tuberculosis); in 15 (1.3%) a diagnosis of lymphoma was made from other sites (pleural fluid, etc.) within 6 months of initial biopsy. This represents a diagnostically difficult subgroup requiring further investigation. Chronic lymphadenopathy in children in developing countries has a high incidence of infective causes, including a significant incidence of M. tuberculosis. The incidence of serious pathology in more than one-half of the cervical LNs examined justifies aggressive surgical investigation.

Current controversies in the management of pediatric patients with well-differentiated nonmedullary thyroid cancer: a review

Current treatment strategies for pediatric patients with nonmedullary, well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) are derived from single-institution clinical cohorts, reports of extensive personal experience, and extrapolation of several common therapeutic practices for this tumor in adults. Because pediatric WDTC is an uncommon malignancy, the issues of its optimal initial and subsequent long-term treatment and follow-up remain controversial. Pediatric patients with WDTC can be divided into two groups: children younger than 10 years of age and teenagers/adolescents between 10 and 18 years of age because these groups have different recurrence and mortality rates. We hereby present our views and interpret them in the light of the pertinent literature. Our recommendations on treatment strategies are more relevant for younger children. After midpuberty, optimal treatment is adequately addressed in the relevant literature on adults. For the majority of patients, total/near-total thyroidectomy is currently recommended as the standard initial therapy for WDTC. This is commonly followed by administration of radioiodine (RAI; (131)I) therapy to destroy residual normal thyroid tissue (remnant). Routine (131)I remnant ablation has been shown to: (1). decrease the risk of local recurrences, (2) increase the sensitivity of subsequent diagnostic RAI whole-body scanning (WBS), and (3) render serum thyroglobulin (Tg) a highly sensitive marker for recurrent/residual disease during long-term follow-up. We recognize that the above practices are not universally adhered to in children and adolescents, because the risk stratification and intensity of applied therapeutic measures are influenced by institutional traditions and personal experience. In our view, aggressive initial management, followed by evaluations at regular intervals after thyroidectomy and (131)I remnant ablation, in conjunction with long-term thyroid hormone suppressive therapy (THST), result in decreased recurrence rates in pediatric patients with WDTC. Follow-up examinations should include a diagnostic RAI ((131)I or (123)I) WBS and measurement of serum Tg, both performed under conditions of TSH stimulation, as well as neck ultrasonography (US). Our strategy is corroborated by data from retrospective clinical cohort studies. In this malignancy, no evidence of disease (NED) status can be defined as the combination of a negative diagnostic WBS and the presence of undetectable or low serum Tg levels, both tested under TSH stimulation. These findings should be accompanied by the absence of anatomically definable disease by standard imaging modalities, e.g., neck US or chest computed tomography (CT). Although the long-term survival rates are good overall in this disease, selected patients may require further surgery or (131)I therapy for the eradication or clinical control of metastases. Finally, and importantly, because the duration of follow-up is lifelong, the care of children with prior diagnosis of WDTC should be transferred to an adult endocrinologist after they reach adulthood, even if they have achieved NED status by that time.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules

BACKGROUND

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) is a routine diagnostic technique for evaluating thyroid nodules. Many reports in adults consider that FNA is superior to thyroid ultrasonography (USG) and radionuclide scanning (RS). Only five studies have been published on FNA of childhood thyroid nodules.

AIMS

To investigate the reliability of FNA in the evaluation and management of thyroid nodules, and compare the results of FNA, USG, and RS with regard to final histopathological diagnosis.

METHODS

FNA was performed in 46 children with thyroid nodules after USG and RS examination. We investigated the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of USG, RS, and FNA in their management.

RESULTS

Six patients who had malignant or suspicious cells on FNA examination underwent immediate surgery. The other 40 patients received medical treatment according to their hormonal status. Fifteen of these nodules either disappeared or decreased in number and/or size. Surgery was performed in 25 patients who did not respond to therapy. Statistical analysis revealed sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values respectively as follows: 60%, 59%, 59%, 15%, and 92% for USG; 30%, 42%, 39%, 12%, and 68% for SC; 100%, 95%, 95%, 67%, and 100% for FNAB.

CONCLUSION

FNAB is as reliable in children as in adults for definitive diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Using this technique avoids unnecessary thyroid surgery in children.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents

We reviewed the utility of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the management of thyroid nodules in 41 children and adolescents (35 girls; mean age, 13.3 years). Cytologic findings were benign in 30, malignant in 2, suspicious in 6, and insufficient in 3. The malignancy rate was 5%, with no false-negative results. Diagnostic accuracy for FNAB was 87% and inter-observer reliability was 88%. FNAB is safe and highly accurate in the evaluation of thyroid nodules in childhood.

Pediatric thyroid nodules: management in the era of fine needle aspiration

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Thyroid nodules are rare in children. The need to uncover malignancy is the most challenging dilemma in management. The aim of this report was to determine whether management of pediatric thyroid nodules has changed in the era of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology.

METHODS

Twenty-four children with thyroid nodules comprised the study group. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, imaging results, FNA cytology results, surgical therapy, complications, and pathological reports were reviewed retrospectively. FNA cytology results were categorized as either benign, malignant, suspicious, or insufficient.

RESULTS

Girls outnumbered boys (five to one) with a mean age of 14.9 years. Nineteen nodules were benign and five malignant. Malignancy was characterized by localized tenderness, multiglandular appearance, and fixation to adjacent tissues. Ultrasound scans and nuclear scans gave no clue toward management because cystic, hot, and warm nodules figured among malignant cases. FNA in 18 children achieved 80% accuracy, 60% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 75% positive, and 81% negative predictive value. Physical examination findings, persistence of the nodule, and progressive growth decided for surgery in most children.

CONCLUSIONS

FNA is a safe adjunctive test that plays a minor role in the decision to withhold surgery. Its greatest strength is to resolve, in case of suspicious or malignant cytology, that a more radical procedure will be needed. Clinical judgement as determined by serial physical findings continues to be the most important factor in the management of thyroid nodules in children.