Benign and malignant thyroid nodules with autoimmune thyroiditis.

Objective: The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of coexistence of PTC with AT versus that of the coexistence of benign nodules with AT. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study including patients operated on for thyroid nodules from January 2011, to April 2021. The frequency of papillary carcinomas cooccurring with AT was compared to that of benign nodules cooccurring with AT, which was assessed based on cytopathological diagnosis after thyroidectomy. Results: The study included 668 cases of benign nodules and 420 cases with PTC. No statistically significant difference was observed between cases of benign and PTC nodules regarding the presence of AT (25% vs. 28%, respectively, p = 0.177). The size of the PTC compared to that of the benign predominant nodules was significantly smaller both in the absence (0.96 ± 1.09 cm vs. 2.19 ± 1.06 cm, p < 0.05) and in the presence (0.77 ± 0.76 cm vs. 1.67 ± 1.08 cm, p < 0.01) of AT. In the binary logistic regression analysis of the PTC, the only variable associated with AT was multifocality (odds ratio: 1.750, 95% confidence intervals: 1.131-2.706, p = 0.013). The incidences of lymph node involvement and advanced stage PTC were very low both in the presence and absence of AT. Conclusion: The nodules present with PTC were not more likely to coexist with AT than benign nodules were. The small incidence of advanced PTC indicates a significant improvement in early-stage diagnosis.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria and angioedema in a patient with autoimmune thyroid disease resolved after thyroidectomy.

The link between chronic urticaria and accompanying thyroid disease is still not understood, with current treatment focusing on antihistamines and levothyroxine. A 35-year-old female patient presented with chronic idiopathic urticaria and facial angioedema for 9 months prior to evaluation. Oral corticosteroid therapy, antihistamines, leukotriene-antagonists, selenium, and omalizumab were all administered, with the disease relapsing within several days, accompanied with facial angioedema of varying severity. Laboratory results were negative for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and cytoplasmic antineutrophil antibodies (ANCA). Immunoglobulins and complement levels were normal. Autologous serum testing, and skin-prick test for common inhalatory allergens were all normal. Levothyroxine was then administered with no effect on the symptoms. After considering all of the available treatment options, the patient decided to undergo total thyroidectomy. Urticaria and angioedema subsided on the third postoperative day, and she remains free of symptom recurrence during 10 months of postoperative follow-up. Her antiTPO titer decreased from > 1300 to 31.1 kIU/L and antiTG decreased from 272 to 4.9 kIU/L three months after the surgery. The most important element in this case report is an unexpected extra-thyroid presentation of an autoimmune thyroid disease, with a newly described association with facial angioedema. Additional important evidence may confirm the hypothesis that both conditions are indeed caused by a common immunological patohogenetic pathway that should be routinely evaluated in patients presenting with chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Changes in thyroid antibody and T lymphocyte subsets after radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The aim was to study the changes in thyroid antibody and T lymphocyte subsets after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of thyroid nodules in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 135) with autoimmune thyroiditis and thyroid nodules were treated by RFA. The indices of thyroid function and thyroid antibody and T lymphocyte subsets were examined preoperation and on the 1st day and the 1st month after ablation. Any complications were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The software SPSS 17.0.0 (version: 2008-8-23) running under Windows 8 was used for statistical analysis. The measurement data were expressed as x ± s, with P < 0.01 indicating a significant difference in the statistical data. RESULTS: Levels of free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone were in the normal range before ablation, and no significant changes occurred on the 1st day or in the 1st month after ablation. The change in the percentage of CD8+T cells and the absolute value of B cells were not statistically significant (P > 0.01), and the values were in the normal range. Compared with values recorded preoperation, the value of TG-Ab, TPO-Ab, CD4+/CD8+, the percentage of CD4+T cells, the absolute values of lymphocytes, T cells, CD4+T cells, and CD8+T cells decreased significantly at the 1st day after ablation (P < 0.01) and then recovered to preoperative levels during the first 30 days after ablation (P > 0.01). Within 1 month after ablation, none of the patients had complications such as active bleeding, infection, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, parathyroid gland injury, skin scald, and so on. CONCLUSIONS: After RFA of thyroid nodules in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid function is not affected and no serious complications occurred. TG-Ab and TPO-Ab levels can be significantly decreased, and the distribution of T lymphocyte subsets can be changed in the short term after ablation.

Association between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and papillary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective study in surgical specimens / Asociación entre tiroiditis linfocítica crónica y cáncer papilar de tiroides: estudio retrospectivo de especímenes quirúrgicos

INTRODUCTION: The hypothesis of an association between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) continues to generate debate. Retrospective studies suggest that there is a greater probability of diagnosing a PTC in surgical specimens with CLT; however, prospective studies suggest that there is no true increase in risk. METHODS: An analytical, cross-section measurement and retrospective study was carried out considering gender, age and diagnosis of CLT and PTC in surgical specimens. A binary logistic regression model was proposed to predict the probability of carrying out the diagnosis of PTC based on the diagnosis of CLT, gender and age. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 1136 patients, 1047 (92.2%) women and 89 (7.8%) men, with an average age of 47.5±14.3 years. The prevalence of CLT and PTC was 14.9% and 16.1% respectively. Coexistence between PTC and CLT was found in 44 patients, corresponding to 3.9% of the population. Our logistic regression model suggests that the probability of diagnosing PTC in surgical specimens of male patients under 40 years old and with CLT is 53.8%. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that there is a greater probability of diagnosing PTC in surgical specimens with confirmatory histological data for CLT; in addition, in males under 40 years old this probability increases

INTRODUCCIÓN: La hipótesis que sugiere una asociación entre el cáncer papilar de tiroides (PTC, por sus siglas en inglés) y la tiroiditis linfocítica crónica (CLT, por sus siglas en inglés) sigue generando debate. Los estudios retrospectivos sugieren que existe una mayor probabilidad de realizar un diagnóstico de PTC en las muestras quirúrgicas de CLT. Los estudios prospectivos sugieren que no existe un incremento real del riesgo. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio analítico de medición transversal y temporalidad retrospectiva en cuanto a sexo, edad, diagnóstico de CLT y espécimen quirúrgico de PTC. Se propuso un modelo de regresión logística binaria para predecir la probabilidad de realizarse un diagnóstico de PTC basado en el diagnóstico de CLT, sexo y edad. RESULTADOS: La población de estudio consistió en 1.136 pacientes, 1.047 mujeres (92,2%) y 89 varones (7,8%), con una edad media de 47,5 ± 14,3 años. La prevalencia de CLT y PTC fue del 14,9% y 16,1%, respectivamente. La coexistencia de PTC y CLT fue encontrada en 44 pacientes, correspondiente al 3,9% de la población. Nuestro modelo de regresión logística sugiere que la probabilidad de realizar el diagnóstico de PTC en muestras quirúrgicas de pacientes varones con edades inferiores a 40 años y con CLT es del 53,8%. CONCLUSIONES: Sugerimos que existe una mayor probabilidad de diagnosticar PTC en muestras quirúrgicas con datos histológicos confirmatorios de CLT; además, esta probabilidad puede modificarse sobre la base de sexo masculino y edad superior a 40 años

Feasibility criteria for total thyroidectomy in outpatient surgery.

INTRODUCTION: France is pursuing a policy of cutting healthcare costs, and outpatient surgery is one of the objectives of this policy. Thyroid surgery could be suitable for outpatient management, provided there is an appropriate patient selection process. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for postoperative complications in total thyroidectomy (TT). DESIGN: A single-center observational study was carried out from January 2010 to December 2015. METHOD: Correlations between, on the one hand, age, gender, obesity, history of surgery, antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation treatment, the surgeon's experience, surgery time, repeated lymph node dissection, and surgical indication (cancer, lymphocytic thyroiditis, Graves' disease or multinodular goiter) and, on the other hand, onset of postoperative complications (postoperative hypocalcemia, uni- or bi-lateral lesions of the recurrent laryngeal nerves, and premature compressive hematoma) were assessed. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-four consecutive TTs were included. 85 patients showed postoperative hypocalcemia (20.04%), 18 recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion (4.25%), and 4 compressive cervical hematoma (0.94%). Overall morbidity was 24.06%. Risk factors identified for postoperative hypocalcemia comprised: female gender [OR=3.2584; 95%CI (1.5500-7.7515); P=0.0036], surgery time [OR=1.0095; 95%CI (1.0020-1.0172); P=0.0129], and surgical indication for benign adenoma [OR=5.0642; 95%CI (1.7768-14.5904); P=0.0022]. None of the study variables emerged as risk factors for recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion. Repeated dissection increased the risk of re-do surgery for compressive hematoma [OR=25.1373; 95%CI (0.8468-32.2042); P=0.0347]. CONCLUSION: Surgery time, female gender, repeated dissection and total thyroidectomy for benign adenoma are risk factors that should be considered in decision-making for performing TT on an outpatient basis.

[Combined presentation of autoimmune thyroiditis, bilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma, cervical thyrolipoma and diabetes mellitus]. / Az autoimmun thyreoiditis, a kétoldali papillaris pajzsmirigy-carcinoma, a nyaki thyreolipoma és a diabetes mellitus együttes elofordulása.

Thyrolipoma or thyroid adenolipoma is an extremely rare form of thyroid adenoma, which also contains mature adipose tissue and follicles covered with fibrous capsule. We present the case of the growing cervical lesion of a 52-year-old female with diabetes, which was removed during total thyreoidectomy. Autoimmune thyroiditis, bilateral papillary carcinoma and cervical thyrolipoma have been identified by the histopathological examination of the thyroid gland. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(25): 1024-1032.

Impact of lymphocytic thyroiditis on incidence of pathological incidental thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of lymphocytic thyroiditis on incidence of incidental thyroid cancers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 713 consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomies. Incidental thyroid cancer was defined as an unexpected cancer discovered on pathological examination outside the index nodule undergoing preoperative cytology. RESULTS: We excluded 65 cases because of preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer, and 68 because of nonincidental cancer within the index nodule. Among the remaining 580 cases, there were 43 cases (7.4%) of incidental thyroid cancers. Incidental thyroid cancers were significantly associated with moderate/severe lymphocytic thyroiditis (relative risk = 2.5; p = .03). Sixteen of 56 patients with moderate/severe lymphocytic thyroiditis had Graves' disease, none of whom had incidental thyroid cancer. The risk of incidental thyroid cancer associated with moderate/severe lymphocytic thyroiditis was significantly higher in non-Graves' than patients with Graves' disease (p = .05). CONCLUSION: The risk of incidental thyroid cancer is significantly increased in patients with moderate/severe lymphocytic thyroiditis. Moderate/severe lymphocytic thyroiditis associated with Graves' disease seems to have a lower risk of incidental thyroid cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 122-127, 2017.

Tiroiditis de Reidel relacionada con IgG4 / IgG4-related Riedel's thyroiditis

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Difficult thyroidectomies.

The "difficult thyroidectomies" (DT) are motivated by several factors that, alone or in association with each other, make surgery more laborious and increase the related risks. Topographical, technical and anatomical criteria have been used by us to classify DT with a view to illustrating specific problems and suggesting appropriate strategies. According to topographical criteria we considered mediastinal goiter and resurgery; according to technical criteria we considered the presence of auto-immune thyroiditis and locally advanced malignancies; on the basis of anatomical criteria, we considered the presence of "non recurrent" laryngeal nerve and of a pre-operatory vocal cord palsy.

Comparison of T stage, N stage, multifocality, and bilaterality in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients according to the presence of coexisting lymphocytic thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the relationship between coexisting lymphocytic thyroiditis and T-N stages of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by histopathological analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 653 patients who underwent thyroid surgery for PTC at our hospital. Each case was classified as either Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), non-Hashimoto type of lymphocytic thyroiditis (NHLT), or normal according to the histopathology of thyroid parenchyma. Patient age, gender, surgical modality, location, T stage, N stage, multifocality and bilaterality were compared according to the histopathology. RESULTS: The prevalence of coexisting lymphocytic thyroiditis was 25.8% (169/653); HT (7.5%, 49/653) and NHLT (18.3%, 120/653). There were no significant differences in T stage, N stage, multifocality and bilaterality with regard to coexisting lymphocytic thyroiditis, regardless of whether HT and NHLT were considered collectively or discretely. Primary tumor size (p < 0.0001), location (p = 0.0011), N stage (p < 0.0001), multifocality (p < 0.0001) and bilaterality (p < 0.0001) differed significantly according to T stage, and gender (p = 0.0193), primary tumor size (p < 0.0001), T stage (p < 0.0001), multifocality (p < 0.0001) and bilaterality (p < 0.0001) differed significantly according to N stage. CONCLUSIONS: PTC patients with coexisting lymphocytic thyroiditis did not differ from those with normal parenchyma in terms of T stage, N stage, multifocality and bilaterality.

Nodules in autoimmune thyroiditis are associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer in surgical series but not in cytological series: evidence for selection bias.

BACKGROUND: The association of thyroid cancer and autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) has been widely addressed, with conflicting results in surgical and cytological series, likely affected by selection bias. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between the cytological features suggestive or indicative of malignancy and AIT in 2504 consecutive patients (2029 females and 475 males, mean age 58.3 ± 14.1 y) undergoing fine-needle aspiration cytology for thyroid nodules. PATIENTS: Based on the clinical diagnosis, patients were divided into four groups: AIT with nodules (N-AIT, 14.9%); nodular Graves disease (N-GD, 2.8%); nodular goiter and negative thyroid antibodies (NGAb-, 68.4%); and nodular goiter with positive thyroid antibodies (NGAb+, 13.9%). RESULTS: The prevalence of patients with cytological features suggestive (Thy4) or indicative of malignancy (Thy5) was 4.5 % in the N-AIT group, not different compared with the other groups (N-GD, 5.6%; NGAb-, 5.0%; NGAb+, 4.3%). No difference was also found in the other categories (Thy2 and Thy3). When the same analysis was performed in the subgroup of patients (14.3%) with a histological confirmation, we found that the prevalence of differentiated thyroid cancer was significantly higher (P = .01) in the N-AIT group (67.8%) compared with the other groups (N-GD, 40.0%; NGAb-, 37.2%; NGAb+, 36.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our cytological series do not support a link between N-AIT and thyroid cancer. The association between cancer and N-AIT found in the histology-based series is likely due to a selection bias represented by the fact that the prevalent indication for surgery in the N-AIT group was suspicious cytology (60.7% of patients) more frequently than in the other groups.

Diagnostic value of antithyroid peroxidase antibody for incidental autoimmune thyroiditis based on histopathologic results.

Detection of antithyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) is widely used in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), but no research has evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of TPOAb detection using histopathologic reference standards. To fill this research gap, this study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of detection of TPOAb and that of other serological markers in asymptomatic patients who had been diagnosed with AIT by histopathologic analysis after thyroid surgery. After review of patient records, 598 patients who had undergone thyroid nodule surgery were enrolled for examination for thyroid parenchyma by a pathologist and classification into no co-existing lymphocytic thyroiditis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, or non-Hashimoto type of lymphocytic thyroiditis (NHLT). The correlation between patient serological data and thyroid parenchyma pathology was analyzed. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between co-existing lymphocytic thyroiditis and no co-existing lymphocytic thyroiditis groups regarding thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and TPOAb levels. And, TPOAb titer was significantly associated with the degree of inflammation. An abnormal TPOAb titer was found in 86 of the 598 patients (14.4 %) and the specificity of TPOAb detection for AIT diagnosis was found to be 96.9 %. The prevalence of Hashimoto thyroiditis and NHLT in the 560 papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients was found to be 7.9 and 17.9 %, respectively. The results indicate that TPOAb titer is associated with the degree of thyroid inflammation and that detection of TPOAb is a very specific means of diagnosing AIT. The results also indicate that the incidence of AIT and PTC coexistence is relatively high.

Cervical pneumatocoele following total thyroidectomy.

Cervical pneumatocoele following thyroidectomy is rare. Urgent surgical intervention is necessary in the setting of widespread tissue emphysema and respiratory embarrassment. We describe a patient with a large pneumatocoele presenting six weeks after a total thyroidectomy who was managed successfully without surgical re-exploration. We also discuss the aetiology of cervical pneumatocoele as well as the potential indications for operative versus conservative management.

The association between thyroid malignancy and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis: should it alter the surgical approach?

BACKGROUND: The relation between thyroid neoplasms and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) is controversial. While it is accepted that focal lymphocytic thyroiditis develops secondarily to malignancy, it is not clear whether diffuse lymphocytic thyroiditis has a tendency to develop into thyroid cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between CLT and malignant tumours of the thyroid and evaluate the surgical approach to CLT cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 917 patients operated on for thyroid diseases were investigated retrospectively. Seventy-seven (8.4%) patients histopathologically diagnosed as having CLT (either non-specific or Hashimoto's thyroiditis) were investigated for any concurrent malignant neoplasm. Fifteen patients in whom CLT and thyroid malignancy were coexisting were included in the study. RESULTS: In the pathological evaluation of 917 cases, malignancy in the thyroid was found in 97 (10.6%) cases. Seventy-seven cases were categorised as CLT. Of these 77, 16 (20.8%) were Hashimoto's thyroiditis (specific CLT) and the other 61 (79.2%) were non-specific CLT. In 15 cases, thyroid malignancy was found to be concurrent with CLT. Of the malignities, nine (60%) were papillary carcinoma, three (20%) medullar carcinoma, one (6.6%) follicular carcinoma, one (6.6%) Hurthle cell carcinoma, and one (6.6%) lymphoma. In our series, the rate of the development of malignancy against the background of CLT was 19.48%, while the rate in the groups without CLT was 9.76%, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: CLT cases should be evaluated more carefully in terms of malignancy. If a nodule is detected on thyroiditis, the minimal surgical intervention should be lobectomy. Total thyroidectomy should be considered as preferable to subtotal thyroidectomy because of its many advantages such as controlling thyroiditis, removing the probability of reoperation, and hormonal stability.

Invasive fibrous thyroiditis (Riedel thyroiditis): the Mayo Clinic experience, 1976-2008.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fibrous thyroiditis (IFT) is the rarest form of thyroiditis, and reports are often limited to case reports and small case series. In this study, we aimed to summarize our institutional experience with IFT since 1976. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of all patients with IFT evaluated at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, from 1976 through 2008, with special emphasis on clinical presentation, associated risk factors, associated comorbid conditions, complications, and treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients met our inclusion criteria of (i) IFT confirmed by pathologic review at our institution and (ii) evidence of extension of fibrosis outside the thyroid capsule. Most patients (17, 81%) were women (mean age, 42 years). Presenting symptoms included pain (24%), dysphagia (33%), vocal cord paralysis (29%), and tracheal narrowing (48%). Three patients had associated hypoparathyroidism. Sixteen (76%) had a history of tobacco use, and 10 (48%) were current smokers. Fibrosing mediastinitis was present in four, orbital fibrosis in one, retroperitoneal fibrosis in three, and pancreatic fibrosis in one (38% had extracervical fibrotic processes). Eighteen patients had partial thyroidectomy, 7 (39%) of whom had surgical complications involving vocal cords and parathyroid. Two required tracheostomy. Thirteen had corticosteroid therapy; six received tamoxifen. There was no cause-specific mortality, and the fibrotic process stabilized or partially resolved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: IFT often is associated with a systemic extracervical fibrotic process and tobacco use. Attempted thyroid resection often results in postoperative complications. Long-term follow-up showed no deaths from IFT and showed stability of the thyroiditis.

Retrospective evaluation of instituted standard adequacy criteria for on-site adequacy assessment of thyroid fine-needle aspiration.

This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the impact of using instituted standard criteria for on-site assessment of specimen adequacy on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis of thyroid nodules. The study included a total of 1,031 thyroid FNAs that were performed and assisted with on-site adequacy assessment using instituted standard criteria from July 2006 to March 2009. Adequate specimens require the presence of at least six groups of follicular cells in total on Diff-Quik stained smears with a minimum of 10 cells in each group. Agreement on specimen adequacy between on-site and final assessment, nondiagnostic rate, distribution of cytologic diagnoses, and cytohistologic concordance for cases with surgical follow-up was evaluated. Implementing the instituted standard criteria resulted in 93% level of agreement on specimen adequacy between on-site and final assessment. Nondiagnostic rate upon final assessment was 10.7%. Cytohistologic concordant rate reached 93.9% and 82.3% for nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions, respectively. Most importantly, this approach to standardization not only provided diagnostic consistency among cytopathologists, but also minimized confusions and enhanced effective communication. Thus, high satisfactions have been achieved from endocrinologists/radiologists who utilized our on-site assessment service and/or participated in the management of thyroid nodules.