Cytology and histology of thyroid nodular disease, cross-sectional study: A second level single center report

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid nodules occur between 4 to 8% of the population, of which up to 15% have neoplastic etiology. Nodules suspected of malignancy require puncture, fine needle aspiration (FNA) and the malignant cytology reported by the Bethesda system must be corroborated with the pathological study once the nodular excision has been performed. The objective of this study is to present the experience of a referral center for patients with thyroid nodules.

Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out in the Endocriology Service of the General Hospital of the North of Guayaquil IESS CEIBOS, from June 2017 to July 2019. The Universe was made up of all the cases with a diagnosis of thyroid nodule that required PAAF. It is used in the Bethesda system for reports.

Results: There were 349 cases of patients with thyroid nodules, women (89%), aged between 60 - 69 years (26%). 71 cases (21%) BETHESDA I; 220 cases (63%) BETHESDA II; 11 cases (3%) BETHESDA III; 15 cases (4%) BETHESDA IV; 15 cases (4%) BETHESDA V; and 17 cases (5%) BETHESDA VI. Post thyroid nodule malignancy in BETHESDA I 1%; of BETHESDA II 21%; BETHESDA III 56%, BETHESDA IV, 33%; BETHESDA V 71%; and BETHESDA VI 100%.

Conclusion: Benign cytology (Bethesda II) was the most predominant, followed by Unsatisfactory Cytology (Bethesda I) with 21%. In the population studied, the real risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules that underwent surgery from the Diagnostic Categories cytopathological BETHESDA II, IV, V and VI, confirmed by histopathology; were similar to what was expected, and were within the range estimated by the 2017 Bethesda System. The Bethesda III cytopathological category (AUS / FLUS) presented a higher malignancy rate than the upper limit described by the 2017 Bethesda System, confirming the need for further studies in this type of patient.