Histopathological Evaluation of Solitary Nodules of Thyroid

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Solitary Thyroid nodules (STNs) can be ofboth non-neoplastic or neoplastic in nature and it is difficultto assess whether an STN is neoplastic or non-neoplasticby clinical examination alone. Imaging technique mayhelp in differentiating them preoperatively but histologicalexamination offers the final diagnosis. This study was aimedat studying the incidence rates of various types of STNs as itvaries from one geographical area to another.Material and methods: A total of 58 cases of STNsreceived over the period of 18 months were studied andhistopathological features were analysed.Results: In this study, non-neoplastic STNs were 32 (55.17%)and neoplastic were 26 (44.82%), the former being morecommon. There was a female preponderance in both nonneoplastic and neoplastic STNs with an incidence of 90.62%and 84.61% respectively. Mean age of presentation of STNswas 42.09 years. Non-neoplastic lesions of thyroid were; 18cases of colloid nodules, 10 cases of hyperplastic nodulargoitre, 04 cases of Hashimoto Thyroiditis and the neoplasticlesions were; 05 cases of follicular adenoma, 11 cases oftypical/conventional papillary carcinoma of thyroid (PTC),6 cases of papillary carcinoma thyroid variants, 01 case offollicular carcinoma 01 case of Undifferentiated carcinoma,01 case of Squamous cell carcinoma and 01 case of medullarycarcinoma.Conclusion: STNs are not so uncommon and comprise of agamut of both non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Colloidnodule and PTC are the most common of non-neoplastic andneoplastic STNs respectively.