Biomedical Science Program, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Surg Radiol Anat. 2024 Oct;46(10):1673-1681. doi: 10.1007/s00276-024-03470-2. Epub 2024 Aug 27.
To systematically review published studies on the prevalence of the thyroid foramen (TF), perform a meta-analysis to generate pooled prevalence estimates, and identify factors associated with its presence.
A systematic literature search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Journal Storage databases. Studies reporting the prevalence of the thyroid foramen were included without language or date restrictions. Quality assessment was performed using AQUA tool. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed with subgroup analyses. Heterogeneity was assessed using Higgins' I statistics, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test.
Out of 271 entries, 38 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 3,030 subjects from various continents. The overall TF prevalence was 24.5% (95% CI: 19.2-29.8%, I = 93.44%), with unilateral TF present in 16.9% and bilateral TF in 6.2%. Prevalence was highest in North America (31.4%,) and lowest in Africa (12.3%). No significant prevalence difference was found between adults and younger populations (p = 0.15). Publication bias, or the small-study effect, was detected (p < 0.01).
This meta-analysis reveals a 24.5% overall prevalence of TF, with significant heterogeneity primarily explained by geographical differences. The TF's clinical relevance necessitates awareness among surgeons and radiologists to avoid complications during laryngeal surgeries and prevent misdiagnosis in imaging studies.
系统回顾已发表的关于甲状腺裂孔（TF）患病率的研究，进行荟萃分析以生成汇总患病率估计值，并确定与 TF 存在相关的因素。
在 Google Scholar、PubMed 和 Journal Storage 数据库中进行系统文献检索。纳入报告 TF 患病率的研究，不限制语言或日期。使用 AQUA 工具进行质量评估。使用随机效应荟萃分析进行亚组分析。使用 Higgins' I 统计量评估异质性，并使用漏斗图和 Egger 检验评估发表偏倚。
在 271 项条目，38 项研究符合纳入标准，包含来自各大洲的 3030 名受试者。TF 的总体患病率为 24.5%（95%CI：19.2-29.8%，I=93.44%），单侧 TF 为 16.9%，双侧 TF 为 6.2%。北美（31.4%）的患病率最高，非洲（12.3%）最低。成人和年轻人群之间的患病率无显著差异（p=0.15）。存在发表偏倚，即小样本效应（p<0.01）。
本荟萃分析显示 TF 的总体患病率为 24.5%，存在显著异质性，主要由地理位置差异解释。TF 的临床相关性需要外科医生和放射科医生注意，以避免在喉部手术中发生并发症，并防止影像学研究中的误诊。
