[Abstract unavailable

Molecular analysis for a panel of mutations has significant diagnostic value for all categories of indeterminate cytology and can be helpful for more effective clinical management of these patients.

Background: Remote-access techniques have been described over the recent years as a method of removing the thyroid gland without an incision in the neck. However, there is confusion related to the number of techniques available and the ideal patient selection criteria for a given technique. The aims of this review were to develop a simple classification of these approaches, describe the optimal patient selection criteria, evaluate the outcomes objectively, and define the barriers to adoption. Methods: A review of the literature was performed to identify the described techniques. A simple classification was developed. Technical details, outcomes, and the learning curve were described. Expert opinion consensus was formulated regarding recommendations for patient selection and performance of remote-access thyroid surgery. Results: Remote-access thyroid procedures can be categorized into endoscopic or robotic breast, bilateral axillobreast, axillary, and facelift approaches. The experience in the United States involves the latter two techniques. The limited data in the literature suggest long operative times, a steep learning curve, and higher costs with remote-access thyroid surgery compared with conventional thyroidectomy. Nevertheless, a consensus was reached that, in appropriate hands, it can be a viable option for patients with unilateral small nodules who wish to avoid a neck incision. Conclusions: Remote-access thyroidectomy has a role in a small group of patients who fit strict selection criteria. These approaches require an additional level of expertise, and therefore should be done by surgeons performing a high volume of thyroid and robotic surgery.

Introduction: RAS mutations are common in thyroid tumors and confer a high risk of cancer when detected in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. Specific characteristics of RAS-positive thyroid cancers are not well described.

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Background Thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (TPMC) is an incidentally discovered papillary carcinoma that is ≤ 1.0 cm in size. Most TPMCs are indolent, whereas some behave aggressively. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the combination of BRAF mutation and specific histopathological features allows risk stratification of TPMC. Methods A group of aggressive TPMC was selected based on the presence of lymph node metastasis or tumor recurrence. A group of non-aggressive tumors included TPMCs matched for age, gender, and tumor size, but with no extrathyroidal spread. Molecular analysis was performed and histological slides were scored for multiple histopathological criteria. A separate validation cohort of 40 TPMC was evaluated. Results BRAF mutation was detected in 77% of aggressive TPMC and 32% of non-aggressive tumors (p=0.001). Several histopathological features showed significant difference between the groups. Using multivariate regression analysis, a molecular-pathological (MP) score was developed that included BRAF status and three histopathological features: superficial tumor location, intraglandular tumor spread/multifocality, and tumor fibrosis. By adding the histologic criteria to BRAF status, sensitivity was increased from 77% to 96% and specificity from 68% to 80%. In the independent validation cohort, the MP score stratified tumors into low, moderate, and high risk groups, with the probability of lymph node metastases or tumor recurrence of 0, 20%, and 60%, respectively. Conclusions BRAF status together with several histopathological features allow clinical risk stratification of TPMC. The combined molecular-pathological risk stratification model is a better predictor of extrathyroidal tumor spread than either mutational or histopathological findings alone.

In a large consecutive series in which all ≥4 cm nodules had histology and were systematically evaluated by preoperative US and US-guided FNAB, the incidence of TC within the nodule was 22 %. The false negative rate of benign cytology was 10.4 %, and the absence of suspicious US features did not reliably exclude malignancy. At minimum, thyroid lobectomy should be strongly considered for all nodules ≥4 cm.

Introduction:Molecular testing of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) results helps diagnose thyroid cancer, although the additional cost of this adjunct has not been studied. We hypothesized that FNA molecular testing of two indeterminate categories (follicular lesion of undetermined significance and follicular/Hürthle cell neoplasm) can be cost saving.Methods:For a hypothetical group of euthyroid patients with a 1-cm or larger solitary thyroid nodule, a decision-tree model was constructed to compare the estimated costs of initial evaluation according to the current American Thyroid Association guidelines, either with molecular testing (MT) or without [standard of care (StC)]. Model endpoints were either benign FNA results or definitive histological diagnosis.Results:Molecular testing added $104 per patient to the overall cost of nodule evaluation (StC $578 vs. MT $682). In this distributed cost model, MT was associated with a decrease in the number of diagnostic lobectomies (9.7% vs. StC 11.6%), whereas initial total thyroidectomy was more frequent (18.2% vs. StC 16.1%). Although MT use added a diagnostic cost of $5031 to each additional indicated total thyroidectomy ($11,383), the cumulative cost was still less than the comparable cost of performing lobectomy ($7684) followed by completion thyroidectomy ($11,954) in the StC pathway, when indicated by histological results. In sensitivity analysis, savings were demonstrated if molecular testing cost was less than $870.Conclusions:Molecular testing of cytologically indeterminate FNA results is cost saving predominantly because of reduction in two-stage thyroidectomy. Appropriate use of emerging molecular testing techniques may thus help optimize patient care, improve resource use, and avoid unnecessary operation.