title: Outcomes of incidentally discovered thyroid nodules referred to a high-volume head and neck surgeon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Incidental thyroid nodules are commonly found by radiological studies done for other indications. The yearly incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing, in part because of detection of nonpalpable nodules on imaging performed for unrelated issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  All new patients referred to a high-volume thyroid surgeon for thyroid nodules were reviewed between February 2009 and January 2011. Data regarding patient demographics, risk factors, referring physician, radiologic findings, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) results, and management were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred thirty-three of 729 patients (18.2%) had a thyroid nodule or nodules incidentally found on ultrasound, MRI, CT, nuclear imaging, or chest x-ray. Fifty-five patients (41.4%) were managed surgically, with 35 (63.6%) of those having thyroid cancer on final surgical pathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on radiologic findings, risk factors, and FNA results, many incidental thyroid nodules can be observed. Incidental thyroid nodules should be evaluated in the same fashion as a palpable thyroid nodule.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Teresa R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kroeker
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: le Nobel
authors.forename: Mazin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merdad
authors.forename: Jeremy L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: incidental; management; nodules; outcomes; thyroid