Pediatric thyroid nodules: disease demographics and clinical management as determined by fine needle aspiration biopsy
Raab, S.S.; Silverman, J.F.; Elsheikh, T.M.; Thomas, P.A.; Wakely, P.E.
Pediatrics 95(1): 46-49
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 7770308 Document Number: 452441
Objective: The prevalence of thyroid nodularity in children has been estimated to be 1.8%. The reported prevalence of specific diseases which comprise these nodules is conflicting as evidenced by a reported range of malignancy of 2 to 50% in solitary nodules. In order to better classify pediatric ( lt 18 years old) thyroid disease and evaluate the utility of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in this patient population, we retrospectively reviewed 66 FNABs from 64 thyroid nodules and 2 perithyroid lymph nodes from 57 patients. Methodology: Patients: The study was composed of 8 males and 49 females who ranged in age from 1 to 18 years old (mean = 13.1). Design: Surgical and/or clinical follow-up was obtained in all patients. The 66 FNAB diagnoses were initially classified into specific diseases. However, for the purpose of this review, the cases were classified as: 3 insufficient, 51 benign, 8 suspicious, and 4 malignant. Results: There were no 'false positives' and one 'false negative' (a papillary carcinoma was misdiagnosed as a benign nodule). Overall, 10 patients (18%) had malignant thyroid lesions, including 8 papillary carcinomas and 2 follicular carcinomas. Benign diagnoses included benign nodule, cyst, lymphocytic thyroiditis, granulomatous thyroiditis, hyperplasia, and abscess. Conclusions: The prevalence of malignancy in pediatric patients with thyroid nodules was 18%. We conclude that, because of its high diagnostic accuracy and minimal invasiveness, FNAB is useful in the management of pediatric thyroid nodules.