ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are among the most common endocrine diseases requiring surgical treatment. To determine the appropriate treatment methods for thyroid nodules, we conducted this study by analyzed the clinical characteristics of thyroid nodules, the surgical procedure, and postoperative complications. METHODS: We experienced 39 cases of thyroid nodules below 1 cm in size and treated them by surgical intervention at the Department of Surgery, Masan St. Mary's Hospital, from April 1994 to June 1996. We examined the age and the sex distributions, the clinical manifestations, the locations of the thyroid nodules, the pathologic findings, the ultrasonographic findings, the aspiration biopsy cytology findings, the surgical procedures, and the postoperative complications. RESULTS: 1) The mean age of the patients was 45 years, and the sex ratio of males to females was 1:18.5. 2) The nodules were located in the right lobe (24 cases), the left lobe (10 cases), both lobes (3 cases), isthmus (2 cases). 3) When 39 cases were examined by ultrasonography, the malignant nodules were found in 1 of 14 cases of anechoic nodules and 10 of 25 cases of isoechoic nodules. 4) Aspiration biopsy cytology was performed in 21 cases, and the false negativity was 25%, the false positivity was 25%, and the accuracy rate was 75%. 5) The histopathologic classification of the benign nodules were follicular adenomas, 13 cases; adenomatous goiters, 12 cases; Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 1 case; Hurthle cell adenoma, 1 case; and simple cyst, 1 case. The malignant diseases were papillary carcinoma, 10 cases; and follicular carcinoma, 1 case. 6) Most cases of benign nodules were treated with a lobectomy (72.4%). Malignant nodules were treated with an extended lobectomy and anterior compartment node dissection. 7) The major postoperative complication was transient hypocalcemia. CONCLUSIONS: When voice change or hoarseness is observed and a thyroid nodule is suspected on ultrasonography, aspiration biopsy cytology is considered to be required to exactly distinguish benign nodules from malignant nodules. Further, in case of malignant nodules, it can be concluded that a more active and careful operation may be required to minimize the complications, to decrease the recurrence rate, and to increase the survival rate.