title: Evaluation of cytologically benign solitary thyroid nodules by ultrasonography: a retrospective analysis of 1877 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of ultrasonography (US) in the management of thyroid nodules when the cytology is benign tumor on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2006 and 2011, we investigated 13,972 patients who had solitary thyroid nodule with cytological findings of benign. Surgery was performed according to our criteria for surgical indication. Of these patients, 1877 (13%) patients who underwent surgery were enrolled in this study. We compared the results of clinical findings including US classification and final histopathological diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred seven (6%) after surgery were diagnosed as malignancy pathologically. Large nodule or high serum thyroglobulin level were not associated with an increased risk of malignancy. Ultrasonographic evaluation as malignancy was directly linked to pathological diagnosis as thyroid carcinoma (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US may help to play a role in deciding whether surgical treatment is necessary for cytologically benign thyroid nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kuma Hospital, 8-2-35 Shimoyamate-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. kihara@kuma-h.or.jp
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kihara
authors.forename: Mitsuyoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirokawa
authors.forename: Hiroo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masuoka
authors.forename: Tomonori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yabuta
authors.forename: Hisakazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shindo
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Higashiyama
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Yuuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takamura
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miya
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miyauchi
mesh_terms: D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000097:blood; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013954:Thyroglobulin