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Trimboli P, Ferrarazzo G, Cappelli C, Piccardo A, Castellana M, Barizzi J. Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate FNAC According to the Italian Classification System: Prevalence, Rate of Operation, and Impact on Risk of Malignancy. An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Endocr Pathol 2022; 33:457-471. [PMID: 36044162 PMCID: PMC9712406 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-022-09729-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A thyroid nodule classified as indeterminate on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), hereafter referred to as an indeterminate thyroid nodule (ITN), represents a clinical dilemma. The Italian Consensus for the Classification and Reporting of Thyroid Cytology (ICCRTC) divides ITNs into low- and high-risk categories (i.e., TIR3A and TIR3B, respectively) to better manage patients. This study aimed to achieve high-evidence estimates of the prevalence, rate of operation, and risk of malignancy of ITNs, including TIR3A and TIR3B ITNs. This systematic review was conducted according to MOOSE to retrieve all original studies citing ICCRTC. The last search was performed in February 2022. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed. Separate proportion meta-analyses were performed with a random-effect model using OpenMeta[Analyst]. The online search processed 271 studies, and 33 were finally considered. First, the cancer prevalence among ITNs was 32.4%. Second, the cancer prevalence among TIR3As was 12.4%, with heterogeneity (I2 90%) explained by a linear correlation between sample size and cancer rate (p = 0.009). Third, the cancer prevalence among TIR3Bs was 44.4%, with heterogeneity (I2 75%) explained by the inverse correlation between sample size and cancer rate (p = 0.031). Fourth, the prevalence of ITNs, TIR3A, and TIR3B among FNACs was 29.6%, 12.6%, and 12.9%, respectively, with sample size and TIR3B prevalence being inversely correlated (p = 0.04). Fifth, the operation rates of ITNs, TIR3A, and TIR3B were 54.3%, 48.3%, and 75.2%, respectively, and the sample size and TIR3A operation rate were inversely correlated (p = 0.010). These data strongly support the division of ITNs into low- and high-risk subcategories. Importantly for clinical practice, the cancer rate among ITNs is significantly influenced by the study sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Servizio Di Endocrinologia E Diabetologia, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- Facoltà Di Scienze Biomediche, Università Della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland.
| | | | - Carlo Cappelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, SSD Medicina Ad Indirizzo Endocrino-Metabolico, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arnoldo Piccardo
- Struttura Complessa Di Medicina Nucleare, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Castellana
- Ambulatorio Di Endocrinologia E Diabetologia, Poliambulatorio Di Monopoli, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Bari, Monopoli, Italy
| | - Jessica Barizzi
- Servizio Di Citopatologia, Istituto Cantonale Di Patologia, Locarno, Switzerland
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Massa F, Caraci P, Sapino A, De Rosa G, Volante M, Papotti M. Outcome and diagnostic reproducibility of the thyroid cytology "indeterminate categories" SIAPEC/SIE 2014 in a consecutive series of 302 cases. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:803-809. [PMID: 32797379 PMCID: PMC7946669 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01377-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The clinical impact of the SIAPEC/SIE 2014 classification for thyroid cytology has been addressed in few studies that evaluated the malignancy rate and the relative prevalence of each category. No study analyzed its intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility, so far. METHODS We retrospectively collected all "indeterminate" lesions diagnosed before (2011-2014) and after (2015-2018) the application of the SIAPEC/SIE 2014 classification at our Institution. Their relative malignancy risks were calculated based on available histological diagnoses. Cytological and clinical features of TIR3A were compared with the surgical outcome. Finally, a large set of samples was re-evaluated in blind of the original cytological and histological diagnoses by two pathologists, independently. RESULTS The prevalence of "indeterminate" diagnoses increased in years 2015-2018 (302/1482, 21% with 14% of TIR3A and 7% TIR3B categories) compared to years 2011-2014 (261/1680, 16%). Surgery was performed in 27% TIR3A and in 97% TIR3B cases. Malignancy rates were 40% for TIR3B and 17% for TIR3A, but were greatly influenced by the adoption of the WHO 2017 re-classification of encapsulated follicular-patterned lesions (decreasing to 28% and 6%, respectively). No criteria except for tumor size were associated to malignancy in TIR3A category. Intra-observer agreement of the experienced pathologist was 122/141 (86%), whereas inter-observer agreement between the expert and in-training pathologist was 95/141 (67%). CONCLUSIONS In this real-life experience, the sub-classification of TIR3A and TIR3B slightly increased the overall prevalence of "indeterminate" diagnoses. Malignancy rates were higher than estimated for both TIR3A and TIR3B categories. Agreement among observers highly depended on pathologist's training.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Massa
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin and Pathology Unit, San Luigi Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, Torino, Italy
| | - P Caraci
- Internal Medicine Unit, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - A Sapino
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - G De Rosa
- Pathology Unit, Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - M Volante
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin and Pathology Unit, San Luigi Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, Torino, Italy.
| | - M Papotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, and Pathology Unit, "Città della Salute e della Scienza" Hospital, Turin, Italy
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Rullo E, Minelli G, Bosco D, Nardi F, Grani G, Durante C, Ascoli V. Indeterminate thyroid nodules (TIR3A/TIR3B) according to the new Italian reporting system for thyroid cytology: A cytomorphological study. Cytopathology 2019; 30:475-484. [PMID: 31112332 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Italian reporting system for thyroid cytology classifies indeterminate lesions as TIR3A (low risk) or TIR3B (high risk) and is meant to provide practical guidance rather than a detailed consideration of morphological features. We aimed to assess which cytological features have the most diagnostic value and whether they are effective in classifying nodules as either TIR3A or TIR3B and in predicting histological outcomes. METHODS Thyroid fine-needle aspirates from 111 indeterminate nodules were reviewed blinded to clinical information, TIR3A/TIR3B classification, and histology in order to assess which cytological features (pooled into artefacts, smear background, architectural and nuclear atypia, and oncocytes) differentiate TIR3A from TIR3B, and benign from malignant histological outcomes. RESULTS Of the cytological features examined, those specific for TIR3B included high cellularity, nuclear atypia, oncocyte predominance and transgressing vessels. Features specific for TIR3A included artefacts, low cellularity and oncocyte sparseness. Other features, such as microfollicules/trabeculae, were non-specific. Due to the different distributions of these features, three TIR3B subgroups were identifiable: follicular lesions with oncocytic changes, pure follicular lesions, and follicular lesions with nuclear atypia, whereas no subgroups were identifiable in TIR3A. Nuclear atypia was a significant indicator of malignancy, whereas oncocyte predominance was not a reliable predictor of malignancy. High cellularity and microfollicules/trabeculae were not indicative of any histological outcome. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the assessed features were good predictors of histological outcomes. The TIR3A category included undefined nodules due to the absence of characterising features, whereas the TIR3B category included nodules with a greater number of distinguishing features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Rullo
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Minelli
- Unit of Statistics, National Institute of Public Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Bosco
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Nardi
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Grani
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cosimo Durante
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Ascoli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Trimboli P, Crescenzi A, Castellana M, Giorgino F, Giovanella L, Bongiovanni M. Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology: the risk of malignancy between indeterminate lesions at low or high risk. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocrine 2019; 63:430-438. [PMID: 30519908 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-018-1825-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology has proposed to discriminate the cancer prevalence of high (Tir 3B) vs. low (Tir 3A) risk indeterminate nodules. To obtain more robust evidence on this topic, we performed a meta-analysis of the Odds Ratio (OR) of malignancy of Tir 3B vs. Tir 3A nodules. METHODS A comprehensive literature exploration of online databases was conducted until May 2018. Original articles reporting histology of nodules cytologically classified as Tir 3A and Tir 3B were eligible. Pooled cancer prevalence in Tir 3A and Tir 3B, and OR of Tir 3B vs. Tir 3A were calculated. RESULTS The search revealed 95 articles, and 10 were included for the meta-analysis. Overall, 1168 indeterminate lesions were reported (441 Tir 3A and 727 Tir 3B), of which 391 were cancers. The pooled cancer prevalence was 17% in Tir 3A and 47% in Tir 3B. The OR of Tir 3B vs. Tir 3A was 4.24 (95% CI 2.75 to 6.53) with mild heterogeneity and without publication bias. When we considered non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasms with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) as non-malignant, cancer rate was lower, and OR of Tir 3B against Tir 3A was 2.93 (95% CI 1.60 to 5.37), with no heterogeneity but with publication bias. CONCLUSIONS The Italian system for thyroid cytology is reliable to assess indeterminate lesions at low and high risk, being Tir 3B associated with a cancer risk significantly higher than Tir 3A, also when considering NIFTP as non-malignant entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Anna Crescenzi
- Section of Pathology, University Hospital Campus Bio Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Castellana
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Giorgino
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Bongiovanni
- Service of Clinical Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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A Monocentric Retrospective Study about the Correlation between Histology and Cytology of Thyroid Indeterminate Nodules Classified as TIR 3A and TIR 3B, according to 2014 Italian Consensus for Classification and Reporting of Thyroid Cytology. Adv Med 2019; 2019:3932721. [PMID: 31687414 PMCID: PMC6800968 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3932721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2014, the Italian Consensus for Classification and Reporting of Thyroid Cytology (ICCRTC) reviewed the previous cytological classification proposed in 2007 including the subdivision of TIR 3 category into low risk (TIR 3A) and high risk (TIR 3B). In Italian literature, different rates of malignancy have been correlated to these subcategories. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study is to present our experience on this subclassification for the assessment of the malignancy risk of indeterminate thyroid nodules. We correlated the subdivision into TIR 3A and TIR 3B with the histological report by highlighting the rates of malignancy detected in the two subcategories. On the one hand, we aimed to check if the groups are associated with a real and significant difference risk of malignancy. On the other hand, we evaluated the use of this subdivision in the choice of the appropriate treatment. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective review of all the patients with an indeterminate nodule who underwent US-FNA and had surgery at ASL Città di Torino between January 2005 and May 2018. RESULTS 150 patients have been analyzed for the research; 62 (41.3%) had a malignant histological report. Rates of malignancy between TIR 3A (20.8%) and TIR 3B (60.3%) were significantly different (p < 0.0001). The subclassification had high sensitivity (75.8%; CI 63.3-85.8%) and NPV (79.3%; CI 68-87.8%) and low specificity (64.8%; CI 53.9-74.7%) and PPV (60.3; CI 48.5-71.2%). The measurement of the accuracy (AUC = 0.7) classified the test as "moderately accurate." Conclusions. Obtained data show a great rate of false negative (20.8%) and limited AUC (0.7). According to our logistic regression, we argue that the 2014 subclassification into TIR 3A and TIR 3B should be considered for the choice of patient treatment, but at the same time, we believe that the association with other screening tests is necessary to increase the accuracy in the future.
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Trimboli P, Crescenzi A, Giovanella L. Performance of Italian Consensus for the Classification and Reporting of Thyroid Cytology (ICCRTC) in discriminating indeterminate lesions at low and high risk of malignancy. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocrine 2018; 60:31-35. [PMID: 28786076 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-017-1382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology was published in 2014 and it has been used in almost all Italian institutions. To date, there are not solid data on the reliability of Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology in classifying low and high risk indeterminate nodules (Tir 3A and Tir 3B, respectively). Here, we reviewed and meta-analyzed the results of published articles to obtain evidence-based information on this topic. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A comprehensive literature exploration of online databases was conducted by searching all published papers citing Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology. The search was updated until June 2017, and references of the retrieved articles were also screened. Only original articles reporting histologic follow-up of nodules cytologically classified as Tir 3A and Tir 3B were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS The literature search revealed 62 articles and six of these were eligible for the study. All papers were retrospective and published very recently. Overall, 423 indeterminate lesions, of which 180 Tir 3A and 243 Tir 3B, were found. Of these, 29 cancers were recorded in Tir 3A and 127 in Tir 3B. The pooled rate of malignancy was 17% (95% CI = 12 to 22%) in Tir 3A and 52% (95% CI = 46 to 58%) in Tir 3B. No significant publication bias was evident. CONCLUSIONS Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology 2014 shows high reliability in discriminating indeterminate lesions at low risk of malignancy from those at high risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Anna Crescenzi
- Section of Pathology, University Hospital Campus Bio Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Trimboli P, Fulciniti F, Merlo E, Barizzi J, Mazzucchelli L, Giovanella L. Histologic Outcome of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules Classified at Low or High Risk. Endocr Pathol 2018; 29:75-79. [PMID: 29396808 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-018-9517-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The revised Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology (ICCRTC) was published in 2014. Very recently, a high reliability of ICCRTC in classifying low and high risk indeterminate nodules (Tir 3A and Tir 3B, respectively) was demonstrated. This finding prompted us to review our case series of thyroid indeterminate lesions to verify these data. Only lesions undergone FNAC from December 2014 to October 2017 with subsequent histology at our institutions were eligible for the study. All cytologic samples had originally been classified according to ICCRTC in the subcategories of indeterminate lesion, such as Tir 3A and Tir 3B by three cytopathologists and another one with more than 10 years experience, when necessary. Sixty-three indeterminate FNAC were diagnosed during the study period, of which 51 were subsequently surgically treated. Overall, 9 carcinomas (7 follicular and 2 papillary) and 42 benign lesions were found at histology. The cancer rate observed in the Tir 3A category (3/40, 7.5%) was significantly (p = 0.0015) lower than that found in Tir 3B (6/11, 54.5%). No significant differences were found in age and size of the sampled nodules between the two subcategories. We can confirm in our series that the Italian reporting system for thyroid cytology shows high reliability in discriminating low risk indeterminate lesions from those at high risk of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Via Ospedale 12, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Franco Fulciniti
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Barizzi
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Luca Mazzucchelli
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Via Ospedale 12, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Valabrega S, Santolamazza G, Romanelli F, Scapicchio G, D'Angelo F, Bellotti C, Aurello P, Izzo L, Giovagnoli MR, Trimboli P. Cancer Rate of the Indeterminate Lesions at Low or High Risk According to Italian System for Reporting of Thyroid FNA. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:371. [PMID: 30050499 PMCID: PMC6052905 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology (ICCRTC) has been used in almost all Italian institutions since 2014. High reliability of ICCRTC in classifying low and high risk indeterminate nodules (Tir 3A and Tir 3B, respectively) was demonstrated. Here we reviewed our casuistry of thyroid indeterminate lesions to analyze the histologic outcome. Methods: All lesions undergone FNA and final histology at S. Andrea Hospital of Rome after a cytologic assessment of Tir 3A and Tir 3B, according to ICCRTC, were included in the study. Results: A number of 157 indeterminate FNA was found after the introduction of ICCRTC. Of these, 75 undergone surgery and were finally included for the study. At histology we found a 33.3% of cancers and a 67.7% of benign lesions. Out of the overall series, 25 were classified as Tir 3A and 50 as Tir 3B. Cancer rate observed in Tir 3A (1/25, 4%) was significantly (p = 0.0002) lower than that of Tir 3B (24/50, 48%). No significant difference was found in age and size between the two subcategories. Conclusions: We confirm in our series that Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology allows to discriminate indeterminate lesions at low and high risk of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Valabrega
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Stefano Valabrega
| | - Giuliano Santolamazza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giorgia Scapicchio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco D'Angelo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Bellotti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Aurello
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano Izzo
- Department of Surgery “P. Valdoni, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria R. Giovagnoli
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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