Rates of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a cohort of patients undergoing first endocrine consultation for thyroid nodular disease

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the rates of necessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a cohort of patients undergoing their first endocrine consultation for thyroid nodular disease. Methods This was an observational study conducted between January 1 and June 30, 2023, on patients undergoing their first endocrine consultation for thyroid nodular disease. Data were collected, including age, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration, reasons for performing thyroid ultrasound (US), and thyroid US reports. The US was performed at the time of the endocrine consultation according to the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (ACR-TIRADS) risk stratification system. Patients underwent further investigations/treatment or simple US follow-up as necessary. Results A total of 373 patients with thyroid nodules were evaluated. Reasons for undergoing thyroid US were unrelated to suspected thyroid disease in 33.8%, incidentalomas in 24.4%, dysfunction or positivity for thyroid antibodies in 18%, symptoms or visible nodules in 16.3%, and family history of thyroid disease in 7.5%. A total of 183 diagnostic or therapeutic procedures were performed in 133 (35.7%) patients [fine-needle aspiration (FNA): 121 (66.1%), surgery: 28 (15.3%), percutaneous ethanol injection: 20 (10.9%), thermal ablation: 7 (3.8%), and radioactive treatment: 7 (3.8%)]. Conclusions The study results demonstrate that nearly one-third of the patients undergoing their first endocrine consultation for thyroid nodules need diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.