title: Frequency of thyroid incidentalomas in Karachi population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine frequency of thyroid incidentalomas (TI) through ultrasound (US) and its association with age, gender and ethnicities.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a cross-sectional study. Total 269 adults who were asymptomatic for thyroid disease aged 21 years and above underwent ultrasound examination of their thyroid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequency of TI found was 21%. TI was detected in 25% of females and 16% males (P= 0.078). 61% had thyroid nodules (TNs) in one lobe (right, left or isthmus) and 39% had TNs in more than one location. About 55% had single TN and 45% had multiple TNs. 38% had TNs greater than 1cm while 57% had TNs smaller than 1 cm. 5% had TNs greater and smaller than 1 cm. TI was equally common in individuals of different ethinicities (P= 0.758).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequency of thyroid incidentalomas found in our study was higher than most of the other iodine sufficient states. Unlike other studies, incidentalomas were equally common in both the genders of our study. This may be due to the previous iodine deficient status of Pakistan which was prevalent. However further studies on the same topic will help us in identifying the correct status of thyroid incidentalomas if Pakistan retains it's status as an iodine sufficient state.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Mahrukh Kamran, MBBS, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Ziauddin College of Medicine, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mahrukh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamran
authors.affiliation: Nuzhat Hassan, Masters in Philosophy (M. Phil), Anatomy, Professor and Chairperson Department of Anatomy, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nuzhat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Dr. Muhammad Ali, FCPS, Fellowship in VIR, Fellowship in VIR, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Head Clifton Campus, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Dr. Farah Ahmad, Assistant Professor C.H.S Department, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Dr. Sikander Shahzad, MD.Resident Radiology Department, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sikandar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahzad
authors.affiliation: Dr. Nosheen Zehra, Assistant Professor C.H.S Department, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nosheen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zehra
keywords: Thyroid Function Tests; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Hormones; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroid Nodule; Ultrasonography
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