Risk of Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules with Non-Diagnostic Fine-Needle Aspiration: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules is commonly performed, and despite the use of ultrasound (US) guidance, the rate of non-diagnostic FNAs is still significant. The risk of malignancy of thyroid nodules with a non-diagnostic FNA is not clearly defined. However, most studies exclude the majority of patients without a repeat biopsy or surgery, thus increasing the likelihood of selection bias. The aims of this study were to determine the malignancy risk in nodules with an initial non-diagnostic FNA, and to identify the factors associated with malignancy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with thyroid nodules who underwent US-guided FNA between 2004 and 2010 and had a non-diagnostic result. Patients were followed until confirmatory diagnosis of the nature of the nodule was made. The outcome of malignant or benign disease was based on one of the following: (i) final surgical pathology following thyroidectomy; (ii) repeat biopsy; (iii) clinically, based on repeat ultrasound performed at least three years following biopsy; or (iv) report of thyroid status for patients without follow-up visits contacted by mail. RESULTS: There were 699 nodules from 665 patients included. The mean age was 59 ± 15 years, and 71.7% were women. There was complete follow-up of 495 nodules. After a median follow-up of 2.7 years, thyroid cancer was found in 15 nodules. The prevalence of malignancy was 3% (15/495). The presence of nodular calcifications was the strongest predictor of thyroid malignancy (odds ratio 5.03 [confidence interval 1.8-14.7]). Initial nodule size was inversely associated with malignancy (odds ratio 0.55 [confidence interval 0.28-0.93]). However, the 193 patients without follow-up had smaller nodules compared with those included in the analysis. None of the patients with repeatedly non-diagnostic results were diagnosed with thyroid cancer at follow-up. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of thyroid cancer in nodules with non-diagnostic results is lower than the malignancy rate in thyroid nodules in general, but not negligible. They should be followed as per guidelines with heightened suspicion for nodules containing calcifications. Nodules with repeatedly non-diagnostic FNA results especially in the absence of calcifications have a low risk of malignancy and may be observed.

Pediatric thyroid nodules: ultrasonographic characteristics and inter-observer variability in prediction of malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric thyroid nodules, while uncommon, have high malignancy risk. The objectives of the study were (1) to identify sonographic features predictive of malignancy; (2) to create a prediction model; and (3) to assess inter-observer agreement among radiologists. METHODS: All available cases of thyroid nodules, surgically removed between 2000 and 2009. Three radiologists reviewed the sonographic images; 2 pathologists reviewed the tissue specimens. Adult prediction models were applied. Interobserver variability was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects, mean age 13.1±3.4 years, were included. Nineteen nodules were differentiated thyroid carcinomas. On multivariate analysis, size was the only significant predictor of malignancy. On recursive partitioning analysis, size >35 mm with microcalcification and ill-defined margins yielded the best prediction model. Radiologist inter-observer agreement regarding malignancy was moderate (κ=0.50). CONCLUSIONS: Larger size, microcalcifications and ill-defined margins on ultrasound demonstrate the best predictive model for malignancy in the pediatric population. Experienced pediatric radiologists demonstrate moderate inter-observer agreement in prediction of malignancy.

Asociación del consumo de bebidas carbonatadas y descalcificaciónen mujeres en edad reproductiva y no reproductiva de la Ciudad de México / Association of consumption of carbonated beverages and decalcification in woman on reproductive and non-reproductive age of mexico city

Introducción y objetivo: No hay información suficiente sobre el consumo de bebidas carbonatadas (BC) y su asociación con la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) en mexicanas. El objetivo fue identificar la asociación del consumo de BC con la DMO en dos grupos de mujeres mexicanas. Métodos: Estudio transversal con 328 mujeres en edad reproductiva (MER) y no reproductiva (MENR), con evaluación dietética, antropométrica y DMO. Resultados: Edad promedio de 18,7 años en MER y 47 años en MENR. El porcentaje de adecuación del consumo de energía fue inferior en MENR (98 ± 28% vs 144 ± 55) (p = 0,001), el consumo de calcio fue < 700 mg/día en mujeres con osteopenia de ambos grupos y la mediana del consumo de BC fue mayor en MER, con 200 mL/día (0462) vs 0 (0-250) en MENR (p = 0,001), las MER con osteopenia bebían 500 mL/día (253-750 mL/día) de BC/día vs 100 (0-200 mL/día) en las que no la presentaron (p = 0,001). Los parámetros antropométricos fueron superiores en MENR (p < 0.002) y la DMO en cuello de fémur fue inferior 1,031 ± 0,14 vs 1,107 ± 0,10 (p = 0,001), en MER fue mayor en L2-L4: 1,114 ± 0,13 vs 1,003 ± 0,09 (p = 0,001). Variables asociadas al riesgo de osteopenia: beber BC (OR 11,186; p = 0,001), consumir < 700 mg de calcio (OR 5,774; p = 0,001) y no cenar leche (OR 1,942; p = 0,042). Conclusiones: Beber BC aumenta el riesgo de osteopenia en ambos grupos, las MER consumen más BC que las MENR y tienen aún más probabilidad de fracturas a edades más tempranas (AU)

Introduction and objective: There is not enough information about carbonated beverages (CB) consumption in Mexican women and its association with bone mineral density (BMD). The objective was to identify the association of CB consumption with BMD in two groups of Mexican women. Methods: Transversal study with 328 women in reproductive age (WRA) and not reproductive (WNRA) with diet and anthropometric evaluation and BMD. Results: Mean age of 18.7 years in WRA and 47 in WNRA. Energy adequacy percentage was lower in WNRA (98 ± 28% vs 144 ± 55) (p = 0.001), calcium intake was < 700 mg/day in women with osteopenia of both groups and median consumption of CB was higher in WRA, with 200 mL/day (0-462) vs 0 (0-250) in WNRA (p = 0.001), WRA with osteopenia drank 500 mL/day (253-750) of CB vs 100 (0-200) in who had not (p = 0.001). Anthropometric parameters were higher in WNRA (p < 0.002) and femoral neck BMD was lower (1.031 ± 0.14 vs 1.107 ± 0.10) (p = 0.001) and higher in L2-L4 (1.114 ± 0.13 vs 1.003 ± 0.09) (p = 0.001) in WRA. Variables associated with risk of osteopenia: drink CB (OR 11.186, p = 0.001), consuming < 700 mg of calcium (OR 5.774, p = 0.001) and dinner no milk (OR 1.942, p = 0.042). Conclusions: To drink CB increases risk of osteopenia in both groups, WRA drink more CB than WNRA and they will have high probability of fractures younger (AU)

[Bone demineralization and elevation of serum osteocalcin concentrations in young children with hyperthyroidism]. / Déminéralisation osseuse et elévation des concentrations sériques d'ostéocalcine chez les jeunes enfants atteints d'hyperthyroïdie.

Bone mineralization and serum osteocalcin level were evaluated in 15 children with Grave's disease. Two groups were constituted according to the presence (group I: n = 9) or absence (group II: n = 6) of a severe bone demineralization. A spontaneous fracture and a collapsed vertebra were found in one group I patient. Patients in group I were younger than in group II (8.3 +/- 4.9 vs 11.5 +/- 4.3 yrs). One patient in group II and six in group I were prepubertal with advanced bone age and increased growth velocity. Osteocalcin measurement (Oc) was performed in 10 patients (group I: n = 6; group II: n = 4) at the time of biological hyperthyroidism. The six patients with bone demineralization had elevated Oc levels. In group II, two patients had normal Oc levels and two had elevated Oc levels. In treated patients with good control of hyperthyroidism, all group II patients except one, had normal serum Oc levels and bone mineralization remain normal (n = 5) after 0.6 to 4.6 yrs of follow-up. In group I patients, although height velocity was normal, elevated (n = 4) or slightly elevated (n = 1) serum Oc levels and severe bone demineralization (n = 7 cases) persisted after 0.5 to 3 yrs of good control of the hyperthyroidism. Although the method used for measuring bone mineralization is potentially less precise than bone densitometry and not all the patients had serum osteocalcin measurements at the same time of the illness, our results emphasize that skeletal demineralization may be particularly marked in young children with Grave's disease and should be carefully evaluated.

[Fracture of the upper extremity of the femur in elderly women: respective role of fall and bone demineralization]. / Fracture de l'extrémité supérieure du fémur chez la femme âgée: rôle respectif de la chute et de la déminéralisation osseuse.

Fractures of the proximal femur in elderly individuals are becoming increasingly common in the industrialized world and represent a heavy burden in both socioeconomic and human terms. Two factors are key to the pathophysiology of these fractures: falls and decreased bone strength due to osteoporosis. Femoral and vertebral bone density was measured in 40 elderly women (83 +/- 5 years) who experienced a fall; in those who developed a femoral fracture as a result of the fall, femoral bone density was lower by 12 to 21% (z score: -0.7 to -1.04) than in those with no fracture, after adjustment for age, height and weight. Femoral neck and trochanteric area measurements had the best predictive value (area under the RoC curve: 75% +/- 8%). These was no difference by anatomic fracture type (neck or trochanter). Patients with pertrochanteric fractures had lower vertebral bone densities than controls. These findings, together with recent prospective data, demonstrate that in addition to falls, bone loss (osteoporosis) promotes the occurrence of fractures of the proximal femur in elderly patients. This has important practical implications for the detection and prevention of these fractures.