title: Thyroid nodules in childhood: indications for biopsy and surgery.
abstract: Aims of this commentary is to report the most recent views about epidemiology, diagnostic procedures, malignancy risk factors and clinical management of thyroid nodules in children. On the basis of our personal experiences and recent literature evidences, we conclude that: a) if nodule is accompanied by lymphadenopathy and/or other alert findings, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) should be recommended; b) if no lymphadenopathy and no other clinical and ultrasonographic alert signs are observed, work-up can progress to FNAB only if nodule persists or grows over time, even under levo-thyroxine therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98124 Messina, Italy. filippo.deluca@unime.it.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aversa
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alessi
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cama
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Genovese
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Scuderi
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vadalà
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zoccali
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy