[Isolated thyroid nodule. Comparative value of cyto-puncture and scintigraphy].

OBJECTIVES

Nodular thyroid disease, indicated by the presence of single or multiple nodules within the thyroid gland is a common clinical problem, the main question remains the malignancy. Radionuclide scanning, ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration biopsy have been helpful to distinguish benign from malignant nodules and to select patients for surgery.

METHODS

We performed a prospective study to assess the comparative value of fine needle nonaspiration biopsy and thyroid scinti scan in the management of 412 patients operated for solitary thyroid nodule.

RESULTS

Sensitivity and negative predictive values were the same for both methods, but specificity of cytology was greater than that of thyroid scinti scan (80.53% vs. 10.47%, p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Thyroid radionuclide scanning remains valuable in the evaluation of a cytological benign solitary thyroid nodule when TSH value is low, in order to distinguish toxic adenoma from cold nodule in Graves' disease.