[Cold thyroid nodules: study of 163 cases (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• Thyroidology

Background:

• Cold thyroid nodules are a common clinical finding.
• Distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic cold nodules preoperatively remains a challenge.
• Surgical intervention is often considered for definitive diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incidence of thyroid neoplasms in cold thyroid nodules.
• To identify potential clinical predictors differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic cold nodules.
• To assess the role of surgery in managing cold thyroid nodules.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 163 patients with cold thyroid nodules.
• Surgical intervention was performed on 131 patients.
• Histopathological examination of resected thyroid tissue.
• Statistical analysis of patient demographics, nodule characteristics, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Thyroid neoplasms were found in 33 out of 131 surgically treated cases (22.13%).
• No significant differences in neoplastic incidence were observed based on sex or nodule evolution time.
• Mean age differed significantly among patients with various types of thyroid neoplasms.
• No significant difference in mean age was found between neoplastic and non-neoplastic cold nodule groups.

Conclusions:

• Current preoperative diagnostic techniques are insufficient for reliably differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic cold thyroid nodules.
• Surgical intervention is a desirable and necessary approach for the management of cold thyroid nodules.
• Early surgical evaluation aids in accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of thyroid neoplasms.