Prace oryginalne/Original papers

Clinical, ultrasonographical and histopathological aspects in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis associated with malignant
and benign thyroid nodules

Aspekty kliniczne, ultrasonograficzne i histopatologiczne choroby Hashimoto związanej ze złośliwymi i łagodnymi guzkami tarczycy

Ioana Zosin, Melania Balaş

Department of Endocrinology, ‘Victor Babeş’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timişoara, Romania

Prof. Ioana Zosin M.D., ‘Victor Babeș’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara Department of Endocrinology Timisoara Emergency County Hospital no.1 Bd. Iosif Bulbuca no.10 300736, Timișoara, Romania, tel.: +40 356 433 464, fax: +40 256 486 887

Abstract

Intriduction: The reported prevalence of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis associated with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to evaluate some epidemiological, clinical, sonographical and histological features of operated thyroid nodules with background diffuse autoimmune thyroiditis.

Material and methods: The study included 411 cases with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), of which 118 presented thyroid nodular disease (TND). Thyroidectomy was performed in 76 cases. Of these patients, 24 presented histologically confirmed DTC and 52 benign lesions. DTC types were as follows: papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) (n = 6), follicular variant of PTC (FVPTC) (n = 6), papillary microcarcinomas (n = 8), follicular thyroid carcinoma (n = 1) and the mixed form (classic PTC and FVPTC) (n = 3). The benign nodules were dominated by: follicular adenoma (48%), and colloid goitre (40.3%).

Results: The sonographic features with predictive risk for malignancy in cases with HT associated with TND were represented by: solid composition, hypoechogenicity and microcalcifications. The characters of margins, the nodular shape and the type of vascularity do not seem to be as useful for identification of malignant nodules in HT. Fine needle-aspiration biopsy (FNAB) showed in DTC cases different cytological smears: malignant (ten), indeterminate (eight), benign (two), and non-diagnostic (four). In the group of benign nodules, the indeterminate smears represented also a significant percentage (n = 12).

Conclusions: The incidence of TND associated with HT was 28.7%. Among 76 operated cases, 31.5% presented DTC. The accuracy of FNAB in the preoperative diagnosis showed higher sensitivity (90.0%) and specificity (61.5%) compared to sonographic criteria.

(Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (4): 255–262)

Key words: Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid nodule, thyroid cancer

Streszczenie

Wstęp: Podawane w literaturze dane na temat rozpowszechnienia przewlekłego autoimmunologicznego zapalenia tarczycy związanego ze zróżnicowanym rakiem tarczycy (DTC, differentiated thyroid cancer) cechuje duża rozpiętość. Celem badania była ocena wybranych cech epidemiologicznych, klinicznych, ultrasonograficznych i histopatologicznych operowanych guzków tarczycy u pacjentów z rozlanym autoimmunologicznym zapaleniem tarczycy.

Materiał i metody: Do badania włączono 411 przypadków choroby Hashimoto (HT, Hashimoto thyroiditis), z czego 118 pacjentów zgłosiło się do lekarza z powodu choroby guzkowej tarczycy (TND, thyroid nodular disease). Tyroidektomię wykonano u 76 pacjentów, przy czym u 24 pacjentów badanie histopatologiczne wykazało DTC, a u pozostałych 52 — zmiany łagodne. Postacie DTC były następujące: rak brodawkowaty tarczycy (PTC, papillary thyroid cancer) (n = 6), wariant pęcherzykowy PTC (FVPTC, follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer) (n = 6), mikroraki brodawkowate (n = 8), rak pęcherzykowy tarczycy (n = 1) i postać mieszana (klasyczny PTC i FVPTC) (n = 3). Większość guzków łagodnych stanowiły gruczolaki pęcherzykowe (48%) i wole koloidalne (40,3%).

Wyniki: Cechy ultrasonograficzne związane z ryzykiem rozpoznania nowotworu złośliwego w przypadkach HT związanej z TND obejmowały: litą strukturę, hipoechogenność i mikrozwapnienia. Charakter brzegów, kształt guzkowaty i typ unaczynienia nie wydają się użytecznymi parametrami w identyfikacji guzków złośliwych w HT. Biopsja aspiracyjna cienkoigłowa (BAC) wykazała w przypadkach DTC różne obrazy cytologiczne: złośliwy (10), nieokreślony (8), łagodny (2) i niediagnostyczny (4). W grupie z guzkami łagodnymi nieokreślony obraz cytologiczny stanowił duży procent wyników (n = 12).

Wnioski: Częstość występowania TND związanego z HT wyniosła 28,7%. Wśród 76 operowanych pacjentów DTC stwierdzono w 31,5% przypadków. Dokładność BAC w rozpoznaniu przedoperacyjnym cechowała się większą czułością (90,0%) i swoistością (61,5%) w porównaniu z kryteriami ultrasonograficznymi.

(Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (4): 255–262)

Słowa kluczowe: choroba Hashimoto, guzek tarczycy, rak tarczycy

Introduction

Dailey and Lindsay were the first to report in 1955 the association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) [1]. Since then, many other studies have confirmed this coexistence with variable incidence rates. Several reports have established a prevalence of 11-36% of patients with coexistent HT and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) [2–5]. The majority of these studies are based on retrospective analysis of surgical series. HT and DTC (mainly PTC) share some epidemiological features, like the relationship with dietary iodine and radiation exposure. Both diseases affect mainly women, showing also certain common molecular features. RET/PTC combinations are common in PTC, being associated with the characteristic nuclear changes [6]. Others have shown an increased PI3K/Akt expression in both diseases [7]. Unger et al. found expression of p63 in Hashimoto patients with PTC [8, 9].

Although the association between HT and DTC has been frequently reported, it is unknown whether these thyroid disorders share a common origin and whether the presence of HT affects the biologic behaviour of PTC.

The aim of this study was to present some epidemiological aspects regarding the prevalence of thyroid nodular disease (TND) in HT and to analyse the ultrasonographic (US) and cytological features of proven benign and malignant lesions, diagnosed in cases with background diffuse autoimmune thyroiditis.

Material and methods

The clinical material, represented by 411 cases of HT, issued from an iodine-replete area (the western plain of Romania), was evaluated retrospectively and prospectively (January 2008–April 2012).

A total of 293 patients presented the diffuse form of the disease and 118 associated TND.

Informed consent forms were obtained from all patients. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee. The study was performed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and good clinical practice.

The inclusion criteria were: female and male subjects, all age groups and confirmed HT (by immunological investigations and thyroid US). In cases without detectable antibodies (Abs), the diagnosis was established by US and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).

Serum samples were tested for TSH (reference values: 0.46-4.67 mIU/L) and free T4 (reference values: 0.71-1.85 ng/dL), using ARCHITECT i2000 SR (Abbot Diagnostics).

Antithyroid antibodies (AT Abs) were measured by CMIA, using Abbot AxSYM System. The normal values were for TPO Abs < 12 IU/mL and for Tg Abs < 35 IU/mL.

Thyroid US was performed using a Picker sonograph equipped with a linear transducer of 7.5MHz and power Doppler capability. A nodule was defined as an intrathyroidal lesion of any size that was sonographically distinct from the surrounding thyroid parenchyma.

The US analysis of nodules comprised the following characteristics:

• — the measurement of the largest nodular diameter (mm);
• — the composition of nodule (solid, cystic);
• — the nodular echogenicity (isoechoic, hypoechoic, hyperechoic);
• — the halo sign (present, absent);
• — the characters of nodular margins (well-defined, ill-defined);
• — microcalcifications (absent, present);
• — the nodular vascularity was quantified by Doppler US. Three types of nodule vascularity were described: type 1 — absence of flow signals; type 2 — increased perinodular vascularisation, and type 3 — increased perinodular and intranodular vascularisation.

FNAB was carried out in nodules ≥ 10 mm and in those presenting more than two suspicious US features. Aspirated findings were classified into one of four classical cytological categories: non-diagnostic, benign, indeterminate, and malignant.

Surgery was performed in 76 cases because of different reasons: family history of thyroid carcinoma (two cases), autonomous adenoma (two), cytological diagnosis (45), compressive symptoms and signs (19) and patients’ desire (eight) (Fig. 1).

The performed surgery consisted of: total thyroidectomy ± neck dissection, total lobectomy and isthmusectomy or unilateral subtotal thyroidectomy, depending on the case. For malignant cases we used radioactive iodine remnant ablation (using 100–150 mCI 131I).

 

Figure 1. Indications for surgery (76 cases)

Rycina 1. Wskazania do zabiegu (76 przypadków)

Non-operated patients were treated with thyroxine when hypothyroid and re-evaluated US two times per year.

Statistical analysis

Continuous data was expressed as means with standard deviations (SD). Categorical data was expressed as frequency and percentage. Baseline characteristics were compared using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum text and Fisher’s exact test as appropriate.

The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of preoperative diagnosis using FNAB and US characteristics were calculated, with the final diagnosis established through morphopathological analysis of surgical specimens.

The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 14 for Windows (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

The epidemiological, functional and immunological data of studied cases are depicted in Table I.

Table I. Epidemiological, functional and immunological data of HT cases with and without TND

Tabela I. Dane epidemiologiczne, czynnościowe i immunologiczne u pacjentów z HT z towarzyszącą TND i bez towarzyszącej TND

Parameter	HT with TND (n = 118)	Diffuse HT (n = 293)	p
Mean age (yrs) ± SD	52.3 ± 16.3	47.65 ± 15.32	0.006†
Male (M)/Female (F)	5/113	21/272	NS‡
TSH [mIU/L] (mean ± SD)	13.30 ± 7.47	16.87 ± 11.22	0.001†
fT4 [ng/dL] (mean ± SD)	0.99 ± 0.41	1.06 ± 0.34	NS†
Positive anti TPO Abs (significant titers)	99/118	215/283	0.08‡
Positive anti Tg Abs (significant titers)	60/118	151/270	0.37‡
†Student´s unpaired t test; ‡Fisher´s exact test

Some aspects of operated patients, classified after morphopathological diagnosis, are represented in Table II.

Table II. Epidemiological, clinical and immunological data of operated cases with HT and TND

Tabela II. Dane epidemiologiczne, kliniczne i immunologiczne u operowanych pacjentów z HT i TND

Character (no. of cases)	Malignant nodules (n = 24)	Benign nodules (n = 52)	p
Age (mean ± SD) (years)	53.2 ± 13.4	49.8 ± 13.1	0.44†
M/F	1/23	4/48	NS‡
Incidentaloma	4	9	NS‡
Compressive symptoms and signs	4	18	0.17‡
Thyroid functionality	Euthyroidism — 21 Hypothyroidism — 3	Euthyroidism — 44 Hyperthyroidism — 2 Hypothyroidism — 6	NS‡
Polinodular goitre	0	2	NS‡
†Student´s unpaired t test; ‡Fisher´s exact test

DTC cases were represented by: classical PTC (n = 6), follicular variant of PTC (FVPTC) (n = 6), papillary microcarcinoma (five cases — single carcinoma, two cases — multicentric carcinoma and one case — follicular variant), follicular thyroid carcinoma (n = 1), and mixed form (classic PTC associated with FVPTC) (n = 3).

Preoperative FNAB of DTC cases revealed the following cytological diagnosis: malignant in ten cases, benign in two cases, indeterminate in eight patients, and non-diagnostic in four patients.

Histopathological diagnosis of benign lesions was represented by: follicular adenoma (n = 25), colloid goitre (n = 21), Hürthle cell adenoma (n = 2), follicular hyperplasia (n = 2), and nodular HT (n = 2). The cytological diagnosis of these cases was as follows: malignant in three patients, benign in 24 subjects, indeterminate in 12 patients, and non-diagnostic in two cases.

The US characteristics of proven benign and malignant nodules with background HT are depicted in Table III.

Table III. US characteristics of proven malignant and benign thyroid nodules with background diffuse HT

Tabela III. Charakterystyka ultrasonograficzna potwierdzonych złośliwych i łagodnych guzków tarczycy u pacjentów z rozlaną HT

Character (no. of cases)	Malignant nodules (n = 24)	Benign nodules (n = 52)	p
Largest nodular diameter (mean ± SD) [mm]	24 ± 10	28 ± 14	0.21†
Composition Predominantly solid Predominantly cystic	22 2	31 21	0.006‡
Echogenicity Isoechoic Hypoechoic Hyperechoic	5 19 0	21 18 13	0.001#
Halo Absent or thick, irregular Thin, regular	19 5	22 30	0.07‡
Margins Well-defined Ill-defined	11 13	35 17	0.08‡
Microcalcifications Absent Present	9 15	44 8	< 0.0001‡
Height/width ≥ 1	8	11	0.26‡
Vascularity pattern 1 2 3	8 8 8	16 21 15	0.83#
† Student´s unpaired t test; ‡ Fisher´s exact test; # Chi-square test

The diagnostic accuracy of US characteristics for malignant nodules is depicted in Table IV and the risk factors for malignancy are presented in Table V.

Table IV. Diagnostic accuracy of US features in malignant nodules with background HT

Tabela IV. Dokładność diagnostyczna cech ultrasonograficznych guzków złośliwych u pacjentów z HT

Parameter	Sensitivity (%)	Specificity (%)	Positive predictive value (%)	Negative predictive value (%)	Accuracy (%)
Solid composition	22/24 (91.7)	21/52 (40.4)	22/53 (41.5)	21/23 (91.3)	43/76 (56.6)
Hypoechoic appearance	19/24 (79.2)	34/52 (65.4)	19/37 (51.4)	34/39 (87.2)	53/76 (69.8)
Microcalcifications	15/24 (62.5)	44/52 (84.7)	15/23 (65.3)	44/53 (83.1)	59/76 (77.7)
Absent or thick, irregular halo	19/24 (79.2)	24/52 (46.2)	19/47 (40.5)	24/29 (82.8)	43/76 (56.6)
Poorly defined margins	17/24 (70.9)	40/52 (77)	17/29 (58.7)	40/47 (85.1)	57/76 (75)
Intranodular vascularity	8/24 (33.4)	37/52 (71.2)	8/23 (34.8)	37/53 (70)	45/76 (59.3)

Table V. Risk factors for malignancy of thyroid nodules in HT

Tabela V. Czynniki ryzyka złośliwego charakteru guzków tarczycy u pacjentów z HT

Risk factor	Relative risk (95 % CI)
Predominantly solid composition	1.5 (1.1–1.9)
Hypoechoic	2.2 (1.4–3.5)
Absent halo	1.2 (0.7–2.0)
Ill defined margins	1.6 (0.9–2.8)
Microcalcifications	4.0 (1.9–8.2)
Height/width ≥ 1	1.5 (0.7–3.4)
Size > 15 mm	0.7 (0.4–1.0)
Intranodular vascularity	1.1 (0.5–2.3)

The US parameters (solid composition, hypoechoic appearance, halo, microcalcifications, margins, vascularity) of large malignant thyroid nodules (> 15 mm diameter) did not differ significantly from the smaller ones (< 14 mm diameter).

In 39 cases, the US features of benignity were corroborated with cytological and morphopathological diagnoses (Table VI). Table VII shows the cytological and the morphopathological diagnoses of operated cases. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of FNAB are shown in Table VIII.

Table VI. Corroboration of US features, cytological and morphopathological pictures in 39 benign nodules with HT

Tabela VI. Potwierdzenie cech ultrasonograficznych, obrazu cytologicznego i obrazu histopatologicznego w 39 łagodnych guzkach u pacjentów z HT

US pattern	No of cases	Cytological diagnosis	Morphopathological diagnosis
Sponge-like	6	Benign — 2 Indeterminate — 4	Colloid goitre — 2 Follicular adenoma — 4
Cyst with colloid clot	20	Benign — 8 Indeterminate — 10 Malignant — 2	Colloid goitre — 8 Follicular adenoma — 9, Hürthle cell adenoma — 1 HT — 2
‘White knight’	13	Benign — 6 Indeterminate — 5 Non-diagnostic — 2	Colloid goitre — 6 Follicular adenoma — 7

Table VII. Correlation of cytological and histopathological diagnoses in malignant and benign nodules with HT background

Tabela VII. Korelacja między rozpoznaniem cytologicznym i rozpoznaniem histopatologicznym w przypadku guzków złośliwych i łagodnych u pacjentów z HT

Cytology	Morphopathology
	CG	HT	FA	HCA	PTC	FVPTC	FTC	Mixed PTC	PmC	F Hyper
Benign (n = 26)	20		2						2	2
Indeterminate (n = 20)			11	1		5	1		2
Malignant (n = 13)		2		1	6			3	1
Non-diagnostic (n = 6)			2			1			3
CG — colloid goitre; HT — Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; FA — follicular adenoma; HCA — Hürthle cell adenoma; PTC — papillary thyroid cancer; FVPTC — follicular variant of PTC; FTC — follicular thyroid carcinoma; PmC — papillary microcarcinoma; F Hyper — follicular hyperplasia

Table VIII. Accuracy of FNAB in the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules in patients with background HT (65 cases)

Tabela VIII. Dokładność BAC w rozpoznaniu przedoperacyjnym guzków tarczycy u pacjentów z HT (65 przypadków)

	Postoperative histopathological diagnosis
Preoperative FNAB diagnosis	Malignant nodules (n = 20)	Benign nodules (n = 41)
Malignant (13)	10	3
Benign (26)	2	24
Non-diagnostic (6)	4	2
Indeterminate (20)	8	12
Sensitivity 90.0%; Specificity 61.5%; PPV 54.5%; NPV 92.3%; Accuracy 64.6%.

Discussion

The association between TND and autoimmune thyroiditis is nowadays well-recognised.

In the present analysis, the prevalence of this coexistence was 28.7%. Among 76 operated cases with HT and TND, there were diagnosed 68.4% benign nodules and 31.5% DTC. Others have found a lower prevalence of HT and benign TND vs. HT and DTC (6.7% vs. 23.8%) [10–12].

Some investigators have shown that the incidence rate of HT is 2.77 times higher in cases with PTC than in those with benign thyroid disease. At the same time, in patients with DTC, the incidence rate of the association with HT is 1.99 times higher in those with PTC than in cases with other forms of thyroid carcinoma [2, 3]. HT seems to be a stronger predictor for PTC than other risk factors [13].

The reported prevalence of microcarcinomas in HT is 36.6% [12]. The association of HT with primary thyroid lymphoma has been noted [15, 16].

The heterogeneity of the coexistence of DTC and HT in different studies seems to be related to different factors (individual differences in patient selection, indications for thyroidectomy, the level of pathological examination) [17–19].

In the present study, between diffuse HT and HT associated with TND, significant differences were observed regarding mean age (higher in nodular cases) and TSH levels (more increased in the diffuse form) (Table I).

The clinical parameters did not significantly differ in proven benign and malignant nodules (Table II). Some investigators observed the same aspects [20]. The morphopathological analysis showed in the DTC group different variants of PTC (classical form: six cases, follicular variant of PTC-FVPTC: six, papillary microcarcinomas: eight, follicular thyroid carcinoma-FTC: one patient and the mixed form-PTC and FVPTC: three cases).

The literature also describes other types of malignant lesions such as medullary carcinomas and even anaplastic thyroid cancer [21]. Generally, the percentages of PTC exceed those of FTC and medullary carcinoma [20–22].

The cases with benign nodules presented the following diagnoses: follicular adenomas, colloid goitres, Hürthle cell adenomas, follicular hyperplasia, and nodular or focal Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, similar to other reported studies [20].

Analysing the US characteristics of proven malignant nodules vs. benign ones in HT, we remarked significant differences regarding the following features: composition (p = 0.006), echogenicity (p = 0.001), and the presence of microcalcifications (p < 0.0001). While most malignant nodules were solid, hypoechoic, with microcalcifications, the benign ones presented well-defined margins (Table III).

The classical US characteristics of malignancy in a thyroid nodule are represented by: marked hypoechoic aspect, solid composition, absent halo, ill-defined margins, microcalcifications, predominantly central vascularity, and a certain shape (more tall than wide) [24–28].

The US characters of benignity are considered the following: the presence of a cystic component,
a sponge-like structure, hyperechogenicity, present halo (thin, regular), well-defined margins, and no central vascularity [29, 30].

Since 1990, several studies have analysed the relation between specific US characteristics of thyroid nodules and malignancy [30, 31]. Most studies have remarked a limitation of specificity and sensitivity of specific US features in the prediction of malignancy. It is considered that no individual US feature has high sensitivity and a good specificity for the detection of malignancy.

It is difficult to establish if the US characteristics of malignancy are the same in the general population and in cases with background HT. Given the hypoechogenicity, specific echostructure and increased vascularity of HT, it seems reasonable to question whether existing guidelines are appropriate for this particular patient population [32]. No individual US parameter is suitable for preoperative diagnosis of malignancy in HT. Ultrasonographically, HT and HT associated with PTC may present very similar pictures [20, 33, 34]. The accuracy of US analysis of thyroid cancer in the general population does not seem totally different from that performed in cases with DTC with background HT (see Table VIII).

Anderson et al. observed that in malignant nodules within diffuse HT, all types of calcifications were more prevalent (microcalcifications, macrocalcifications and peripheral eggshell calcifications). At the same time, they decided that margin characteristics and vascularity did not seem to be as useful in patients with HT background [32].

Liu ascertained that the presence of poorly defined margins was the only US significant parameter for the differentiation of benign nodules vs. malignant in HT [20].

The analysis of US features of malignant nodules in HT with respect to size did not reveal significantly different aspects between large nodules (≥ 15 mm) and small nodules (< 14 mm). This aspect, observed also by others [35, 36], enlarges the opportunity for cytological examinations for small thyroid nodules.

Some investigators [37, 38] have preferred to consider a more pattern-oriented US approach as an alternative to the analysis of individual features. More nodular patterns with or without indication for FNAB were depicted. They consider biopsy mandatory in the following four patterns: hypoechoic nodule with microcalcifications; hypoechoic nodule with coarse calcifications; well-marginated, solid, ovoid nodules with a thin hypoechoic halo; and solid mass with refractive shadowing from the edges.

The same authors found that the use of a pattern approach to thyroid nodules is highly sensitive and specific for benignity. Four patterns invariably benign were identified (histological diagnosis). The patterns with no indication for FNAB are represented by the following: 1 — spongiform nodule (‘puff pastry’); 2 — cyst with colloid clot; 3 —’ giraffe’, and 4 — hyperechoic nodule (‘white knight’) [37, 38].

We detected 39 cases with a ‘benign’ US pattern (spongiform: six cases; cyst with colloid clot: 20, and ‘white knight’: 13 cases). FNAB results were dominated by indeterminate and benign smears (19, 16 patients respectively). The histological analysis detected always benign nodules.

FNAB showed in DTC cases different cytological smears: malignant (ten), indeterminate (eight), benign (two), and non-diagnostic (four). In the group of patients with benign nodules, the indeterminate smears represented also a significant percentage (29.2%) (Table VII). Some investigators report that 25–50% of cytological indeterminate nodules prove to be malignant upon final morphopathological diagnosis [37]. The American Thyroid Association and the European Thyroid Association recommend partial or near-total thyroidectomy for patients with indeterminate nodular cytology [27, 40].

Recently, investigators have studied the potential of clinical, radiological, and molecular markers to predict cancer or benignity. The use of multivariate assessment demonstrated the benefits of an approach using several risk factors in conjunction with cytological findings.

The clinical variables considered able to predict malignancy are: age (< 18–25 yr), patient sex (male) and nodule size [28, 30, 41]. Others suggest no influence of nodule size on cancer risk.

The corroboration of cytological and morphopathological diagnoses in our cases (presented in Table VII) showed a low percentage of false-negative (n = 2) and false-positive cases (n = 3).

The accuracy of FNAB in the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules in cases with background HT (presented in Table VIII) showed a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 61.5%, higher values than those of US criteria.

The significant occurrence of follicular lesions resulted in an important percentage of indeterminate cytological smears. This aspect has also been observed in other studies [20, 42, 43].

Indeterminate smears may induce cytologic diagnostic errors in HT, as a result of overlapping cytologic features, particularly among: Hürthle cell neoplasm, follicular neoplasm, PTC, and others.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of TND with background diffuse HT imposes systematically thyroid US.

In the present study, the prevalence of TND associated with HT was 28.7%. Among the operated cases (76 patients), 31.5% presented different forms of DTC and 68.4% various benign lesions.

The US characteristics of benign and malignant nodules within diffuse HT seem to be generally similar to those described in the general population. The US features with predictive risk for malignancy in cases with HT associated with TND were represented by: solid composition, hypoechogenicity and microcalcifications. The characters of margins, the nodular shape and the type of vascularity do not seem to be as useful for identification of malignant nodules in HT.

While DTC cases were dominated by microcarcinomas, classical PTC and PTCFV, the benign nodules were mainly represented by follicular lesions (follicular adenoma, Hürthle cell adenoma and follicular hyperplasia). The important prevalence of follicular lesions with indeterminate smears explains the significant number of operated cases.

The accuracy of preoperative FNAB (sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 61.5%, NPV 92.3%) was superior to that of US criteria.

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