Pollard Rachel E, Bohannon Laurie K, Feldman Edward C
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2015 Jan-Feb;56(1):63-7. doi: 10.1111/vru.12181. Epub 2014 Jun 17.
Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate the cervical region in dogs with hypercalcemia due to suspected hyperparathyroidism. Incidental thyroid nodules may be detected during these studies, however little information has been published to guide clinical decision-making when this occurs. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of incidental thyroid nodules in hypercalcemic dogs undergoing cervical ultrasound at our hospital during the period of 2008-2013. Dogs with a palpable neck mass were excluded. Cervical ultrasound images for each dog were retrieved and reviewed by a board certified veterinary radiologist who was unaware of patient outcome. Presence, number, and dimensions of thyroid nodules were recorded. Results of thyroid nodule aspirate, biopsy or necropsy were recorded from medical records when available. Ninety-one dogs met inclusion criteria. Of these, 14/91 (15%) dogs had at least one thyroid nodule. Mean (± standard deviation) thyroid gland nodule length, width, and height were 1.51 ± 0.74, 0.96 ± 0.73, and 0.75 ± 0.36 cm, respectively. A histologic diagnosis was available for the incidental thyroid lesions in eight dogs, including one dog with two nodules. Confirmed diagnoses for these nodules were thyroid cyst (3/9, 33%), thyroid adenoma (3/9, 33%), thyroid adenocarcinoma (2/9, 22%) and nodular hyperplasia (1/9, 11%). Findings indicated that incidental thyroid nodules may be present in hypercalcemic dogs with no palpable neck mass and no clinical signs of thyroid disease. Some of these nodules may be malignant and therefore a recommendation for cytology or biopsy may be justified.
超声常用于评估因疑似甲状旁腺功能亢进导致高钙血症的犬的颈部区域。在这些检查过程中可能会偶然发现甲状腺结节，然而，当这种情况发生时，几乎没有公开的信息可用于指导临床决策。这项横断面研究的目的是确定2008年至2013年期间在我院接受颈部超声检查的高钙血症犬中偶然甲状腺结节的患病率。排除颈部可触及肿块的犬。由一位不了解患者预后情况的获得委员会认证的兽医放射科医生检索并复查每只犬的颈部超声图像。记录甲状腺结节的存在情况、数量和尺寸。如有可能，从病历中记录甲状腺结节抽吸、活检或尸检的结果。91只犬符合纳入标准。其中，14/91（15%）的犬至少有一个甲状腺结节。甲状腺腺结节的平均（±标准差）长度、宽度和高度分别为1.51±0.74、0.96±0.73和0.75±0.36厘米。8只犬的偶然甲状腺病变有组织学诊断结果，其中一只犬有两个结节。这些结节的确诊诊断为甲状腺囊肿（3/9，33%）、甲状腺腺瘤（3/9，33%）、甲状腺腺癌（2/9，22%）和结节性增生（1/9，11%）。研究结果表明，在没有可触及颈部肿块且没有甲状腺疾病临床症状的高钙血症犬中可能存在偶然甲状腺结节。其中一些结节可能是恶性的，因此推荐进行细胞学检查或活检可能是合理的。
