Published in:
01-07-2010 | REVIEW ARTICLE
Thyroid incidentalomas: to treat or not to treat
Authors:
N. G. Iyer, Ashok R. Shaha, Carl E. Silver, Kenneth O. Devaney, Alessandra Rinaldo, Phillip K. Pellitteri, Alfio Ferlito
Published in:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
|
Issue 7/2010
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Abstract
Incidental lesions of the thyroid gland are an increasing problem facing clinicians. While asymptomatic palpable lesions are detected in only 4–7% of the population, currently available imaging modalities are sensitive enough to detect lesions in 20–30% of the population. Guidelines for managing these incidentalomas are limited, largely due to lack of well-powered prospective studies. This review will address the currently available data on thyroid incidentalomas, detected through clinical examination, cross-sectional imaging, ultrasound, and PET scans. We will focus on the modalities of detection and risk of malignancy, further investigation and management options and the deficiencies therein. We propose a pragmatic algorithm when faced with this clinical dilemma under differing circumstances.