Microcarcinoma of the thyroid: clinically missed diagnosis and management / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the cause of clinically missed diagnosis of thyroid microcarcinoma(TMC) and the management. Methods Clinical diagnostic and therapeutic data of 110 cases with TMC operated and confirmed by pathology from Jan. 1985 to Dec. 2000 were analysed. Results Diagnostic positive rates by ultrasonography and freezing section were respectively 58%(15/26) and 66 7%(14/21) in 26 cases diagnosed preoperatively. Diagnostic positive rate of freezing section was 80%(24/30) in 30 cases discovered intraoperatively. Through postoperative pathologic exam,54 cases were confirmed as TMC that was not discovered in 19 cases by intraoperative freezing section.Total or near total thyroidectomy was only performed on 35 cases,lobectomy of one or both lobes on other cases. Follow up rate was 80 1% with time ranging from 6 months to 15 years. One case recurred without mortality.Conclusion The clinical diagnosis of TMC is often difficult to establish. Careful palpation, ultrasonography with fine needle aspiratiou cytology before operation, and thorough exploration of the suspected nodules in operation will help to heighten the diagnostic rate. Total or near total lobectomy fulfils the eradication of TMC.