[Thyroid scintigraphy: its place in preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules?].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the real contribution of the thyroid radionuclid scanning in the preoperative evaluation of the thyroid nodules.


METHODS
The authors prospectively studied 369 patients who underwent surgical intervention: 160 (43.4%) for isolated nodules and 209 (56.6%) for multinodular goiters.


RESULTS
The scintigraphy of the thyroid was performed in 281 (76.2%) patients: 39 (13.8%) patients with nodules less than 1.5 cm in diameter and 242 (86.2%) patients with nodules more than 1.5 cm in diameter. In 234 patients (83.3%) the scintigraphic evaluation did not bring any utile information for the therapeutic decision. The scintigraphy proved its utility only in 47 patients, which represents 16.7% from the scintigraphic exams performed, or 12.7% from the patients that underwent a surgical procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
In the presence of thyroid nodule or multinodular goiter, the scintigraphy is indicated only in decreased TSH level, suspicion of ectopic thyroid or retrosternal goiter.
Varcus
F
F
IIe clinique de chirurgie, université de médecine et pharmacie, 156, boulevard L.-Rebreanu, 1900 Timisoara, Roumanie. florian.varcus@jura.ch
Peix
J L
JL
Berger
N
N
Bordos
D
D
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013972:Thyrotropin