Abstract:The prognostic importance of F-fluorodeoxyglucose avidity in primary thyroid tumor and molecular basis responsible for its mechanism has not yet been well characterized. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between the maximum standardized uptake levels and B-type Raf kinase mutation positivity in incidentally detected papillary thyroid cancer patients duringF-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography examination. We retrospectively evaluated 6873 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tom… Show more
“…The afore-mentioned studies were cross-sectional so that any impact of incidentally identified diffuse uptake on subsequent thyroid dysfunction was unclear. Kim et al [41] did a cross-sectional and longitudinal study on 39,098 subjects undergoing comprehensive health examinations. At baseline, the prevalence of diffuse thyroidal FDG uptake was 1.6%.…”
Section: Patterns Of Fdg Uptake In the Thyroid Glandmentioning
Incidental lesions of the thyroid are increasingly discovered as the prevalence of medical imaging escalates. The likelihood of malignancy must be assessed for each of these incidentalomas. The utility of the metabolic data derived from the identification of these lesions on PET/CT imaging is unclear. The overall rate of detection of thyroid incidentalomas on PET/CT is estimated at 1.5%-4.2%. However, this rate varies by the pattern of uptake. Several studies have evaluated predictive measures such as maximal standardized uptake value (SUV max ) and radiomics. However, no definitive conclusion has been reached. Given that the majority of PET/CT scans are performed in the context of malignancy, we recommend first assessing the general condition and life expectancy of patients when PET-detected thyroid incidentalomas are unveiled. We also recommend considering observation versus diagnostic workup with further imaging and/or fine-needle aspiration and cytology.
“…The afore-mentioned studies were cross-sectional so that any impact of incidentally identified diffuse uptake on subsequent thyroid dysfunction was unclear. Kim et al [41] did a cross-sectional and longitudinal study on 39,098 subjects undergoing comprehensive health examinations. At baseline, the prevalence of diffuse thyroidal FDG uptake was 1.6%.…”
Section: Patterns Of Fdg Uptake In the Thyroid Glandmentioning
Incidental lesions of the thyroid are increasingly discovered as the prevalence of medical imaging escalates. The likelihood of malignancy must be assessed for each of these incidentalomas. The utility of the metabolic data derived from the identification of these lesions on PET/CT imaging is unclear. The overall rate of detection of thyroid incidentalomas on PET/CT is estimated at 1.5%-4.2%. However, this rate varies by the pattern of uptake. Several studies have evaluated predictive measures such as maximal standardized uptake value (SUV max ) and radiomics. However, no definitive conclusion has been reached. Given that the majority of PET/CT scans are performed in the context of malignancy, we recommend first assessing the general condition and life expectancy of patients when PET-detected thyroid incidentalomas are unveiled. We also recommend considering observation versus diagnostic workup with further imaging and/or fine-needle aspiration and cytology.
BackgroundThe rising demand for 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) has led to an increase of thyroid incidentalomas. Current guidelines are restricted in giving options to tailor diagnostics and to suit the individual patient.ObjectivesWe aimed at exploring the extent of potential overdiagnostics by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the prevalence, the risk of malignancy (ROM) and the risk of inconclusive FNAC (ROIF) of focal thyroid incidentalomas (FTI) on 18F-FDG PET/CT.Data SourcesA literature search in MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science was performed to identify relevant studies.Study SelectionStudies providing information on the prevalence and/or ROM of FTI on 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with no prior history of thyroid disease were selected by two authors independently. Sixty-one studies met the inclusion criteria.Data AnalysisA random effects meta-analysis on prevalence, ROM and ROIF with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was performed. Heterogeneity and publication bias were tested. Risk of bias was assessed using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS-2) tool.Data SynthesisFifty studies were suitable for prevalence analysis. In total, 12,943 FTI were identified in 640,616 patients. The pooled prevalence was 2.22% (95% CI = 1.90% - 2.54%, I2 = 99%). 5151 FTI had cyto- or histopathology results available. The pooled ROM was 30.8% (95% CI = 28.1% - 33.4%, I2 = 57%). 1308 (83%) of malignant nodules were papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The pooled ROIF was 20.8% (95% CI = 13.7% - 27.9%, I2 = 92%).LimitationsThe main limitations were the low to moderate methodological quality of the studies and the moderate to high heterogeneity of the results.ConclusionFTI are a common finding on 18F-FDG PET/CTs. Nodules are malignant in approximately one third of the cases, with the majority being PTC. Cytology results are non-diagnostic or indeterminate in one fifth of FNACs. These findings reveal the potential risk of overdiagnostics of FTI and emphasize that the workup of FTI should be performed within the context of the patient’s disease and that guidelines should adopt this patient tailored approach.
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