Experiencia clínica en una consulta de alta resolución de nódulo tiroideo / Clinical experience in a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic

Fundamentos y objetivos El hallazgo de un nódulo tiroideo es un hecho muy frecuente en la práctica clínica habitual. El manejo del nódulo tiroideo necesita un abordaje multidisciplinar que puede ser facilitado con la creación de unidades de alta resolución de nódulo tiroideo. Describimos la experiencia clínica y los resultados obtenidos en una consulta de alta resolución y acto único de nódulo tiroideo. Material y métodos Se han evaluado todos los pacientes derivados a la consulta de nódulo tiroideo del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria (Málaga) desde el año 2005 al 2007. Se han seguido las guías de práctica clínica de nódulo tiroideo para la recomendación de punción aspirativa con aguja fina (PAAF) y cirugía tiroidea. Se realizó análisis estadístico con programa SPSS. Resultados Durante el periodo de estudio, la consulta de nódulo tiroideo atendió a 658 pacientes (edad media 48,6 años, 89,8% mujeres). Mediante ecografía se confirmó la existencia de nódulo tiroideo en el 85,5% de los pacientes. Con un diámetro medio de 1,96cm, un 74,2% de nódulos fueron sólidos, un 55,8% hipoecoicos, y un 4,7% presentaron microcalcificaciones. Se realizó la PAAF a 475 pacientes. El 76,5% de las citologías fueron benignas, el 19,1% sospechosas, el 2,1% malignas y el 2,3% insuficientes. Se derivó a cirugía al 23,3% de los pacientes (principalmente por tamaño nodular o sospecha de malignidad). Se confirmó la existencia de patología maligna (principalmente carcinoma papilar) en el 24,9% de los nódulos intervenidos. La sensibilidad/especificidad de la citología (considerando la biopsia como el gold standard) fue del 81,8 y el 94,7%, respectivamente. Conclusiones La instauración de una consulta monográfica de nódulo tiroideo permite la optimización de recursos y reduce la demora diagnóstica, obteniendo unos resultados clínicos ampliamente satisfactorios (AU)

Background and objectives: The finding of a thyroid nodule is a very common occurrence inclinical practice. Management of thyroid nodules requires a multidisciplinary approach that may be eased by a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic. We report our clinical experience and outcomes in a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic. Patients and methods: All patients referred to Virgen de la Victoria Hospital (Málaga) from 2005to 2007 were evaluated following thyroid nodule guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: In the study period, 658 patients (mean age 48.6 years, 89.8% females) were seen atthe thyroid nodule clinic. Thyroid nodules were discovered in 85.5% of patients. Mean nodule diameter was 1.96 cm. Of these nodules, 74.2% were solid, 55.8% hypoechogenic, and 4.7% showed microcalcifications. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed in 475 patients (76.5% of all cytological samples were benign, 19.1% had suspected malignancy, 2.1% were malignant, and 2.3% inadequate). Referral for surgery was required in 23.3% of patients (mainly because of nodule size or suspected malignancy). Malignancy was confirmed in 24.9% of nodules. Sensitivity and specificity of cytology (considering biopsy as gold standard) were 81.8% and 94.7%respectively.Conclusions: Implementation of a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic decreases delay in diagnosis and optimizes available resources, thus providing for satisfactory clinical outcomes (AU)

[Clinical experience in a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic]. / Experiencia clínica en una consulta de alta resolución de nódulo tiroideo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The finding of a thyroid nodule is a very common occurrence in clinical practice. Management of thyroid nodules requires a multidisciplinary approach that may be eased by a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic. We report our clinical experience and outcomes in a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients referred to Virgen de la Victoria Hospital (Málaga) from 2005 to 2007 were evaluated following thyroid nodule guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: In the study period, 658 patients (mean age 48.6 years, 89.8% females) were seen at the thyroid nodule clinic. Thyroid nodules were discovered in 85.5% of patients. Mean nodule diameter was 1.96 cm. Of these nodules, 74.2% were solid, 55.8% hypoechogenic, and 4.7% showed microcalcifications. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed in 475 patients (76.5% of all cytological samples were benign, 19.1% had suspected malignancy, 2.1% were malignant, and 2.3% inadequate). Referral for surgery was required in 23.3% of patients (mainly because of nodule size or suspected malignancy). Malignancy was confirmed in 24.9% of nodules. Sensitivity and specificity of cytology (considering biopsy as gold standard) were 81.8% and 94.7% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic decreases delay in diagnosis and optimizes available resources, thus providing for satisfactory clinical outcomes.