Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010 Mar;20(1):91-6.

Thyroid nodules in childhood: a single institute experience

Alireza Mirshemirani  1 , Fatolah Roshanzamir, Ahmad Khaleghnejad Tabari, Javad Ghorobi, Shadab Salehpoor, Fatemeh Abdollah Gorji
Affiliations

Thyroid nodules in childhood: a single institute experience

Alireza Mirshemirani et al. Iran J Pediatr. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: Thyroid nodules are rare in children. Multiple diagnostic modalities are used to evaluate the thyroid mass. The aim of this study was to determine results of management of thyroid nodules in children with special attention to the role of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in diagnosis.

Methods: Thirty-two children who underwent surgery for thyroid nodules in Mofid Children's Hospital within 10 years (1996 to 2005) were retrospectively studied. From clinical records we obtained data about demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, ultrasonography (USG) findings, and FNAB results, pathological reports, surgical therapy and complications. Data was analyzed statistically for association with thyroid cancer.

Findings: Twenty-five patients (78.1%) were girls, and 7 (21.9%) boys. Mean age was 10.9 (range 8 to 14) years. 24 (75%) patients had benign and 8 (25%) malignant tumors. 18 (56.25%) nodules were located in the right lobe. Statistical analysis revealed sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values as follows: 80%, 65%, 63%, 25%, and 86% for USG; 35%, 41%, 40%, 18%, and 66% for RNS; 91%, 94%, 90%, 74%, and 96% for FNAB respectively.

Conclusion: Clinical judgment as determined by serial physical findings with USG continues to be the most important factor in the management of thyroid nodules in children. FNAB is the most accurate method of investigation and its accuracy is improved by USG guidance.

Keywords: Adenoma; Aspiration Biopsy; Carcinoma; Fine-Needle; Follicular; Papillary; Thyroid Nodule.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Hung W, August GP, Randolph JG, et al. Solitary thyroid nodules in children and adolescents. J Pediat Surg. 1982;17(3):225–9. - PubMed
    1. Hung W. Nodular thyroid disease and thyroid carcinoma. Pediatr Ann. 1992;21(1):50–7. - PubMed
    1. Hegedus L. The thyroid nodule. N Engl J Med. 2004;351(17):1764–71. - PubMed
    1. Niedziela M. Pathgenesis, diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules in children. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2006;13(2):427–53. - PubMed
    1. Stevens C, Almahmeed H, Blair G, et al. The Canadian pediatric thyroid nodule study: an evaluation of current management practices. J Pediatr Surg. 2008;43(5):826–30. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources