Management of patients with thyroid nodules: American Thyroid Association guidelines in the setting of Czech Republic

Summary

Thyroid nodules are common finding. Most of them are of benign origin without thyroid dysfunction. Diagnosis is based on evaluation of thyroid function by assessment of serum thyroid stimulating hormone, and ultrasound for the purpose to identify the nodules which should be referred to fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The nodule size, ultrasound pattern and clinical risk factors should be considered before the FNAB is performed. The FNAB results should be categorized based on the risk of malignancy to improving a standardization of the patient’s management and minimizing number of false negative and false positive FNAB results. The most appropriate categorizing system seems to be Bethesda classification, although it is not completely optimal mainly because of controversial Bethesda III category.

Keywords:
thyroid nodule, thyroid cancer, ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy, Bethesda classification