ObjectiveTo assess the effect of short-axis and long-axis punctures of thyroid nodules on the diagnostic rate of ultrasound guided aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 2 686 thyroid nodule patients who underwent US-FNAB between March 2011 and November 2014. The US-FNAB was performed by 5 beginners (571 each for Dr1-Dr4 and 402 for Dr5). Yields of US-FNAB were divided into two levels according to the classification standard of the Bethesda system:adequacy and inadequacy. Short-axis puncture technique was used by Dr2 and long-axis puncture was performed by the others. According to chronological sequence of thyroid nodules examined, we compared the inadequate diagnostic rate between Dr2 and the others for the first 200 cases and the last 200 cases, respectively. The inadequate diagnostic rate was compared among the 4 doctors who used long-axis punctures for the first 200 cases and the last 200 cases, respectively. ResultsThe inadequacy rate of US-FNAB for Dr2 was higher than that for Dr1, Dr3, Dr4 and Dr5 in the first 200 cases, with statistical significance (P=0.036,<0.001,=0.007 and <0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in inadequate diagnostic rate among the 4 doctors who used long-axis punctures for the first 200 cases (P=0.033, 0.551, 0.011, 0.122, 0.672 and 0.050). The inadequacy rate of US-FNAB for Dr2 was higher than that for Dr5 and lower than that for Dr4 in the last 200 cases with statistical significance (P=0.027 and 0.003, respectively). The inadequacy rate of US-FNAB for Dr5 was lower than that for Dr3 (P=0.005) and Dr4 (P<0.001) among the 4 doctors who used long-axis punctures for the last 200 cases. ConclusionFor beginners, the inadequacy rate of short-axis puncture is higher than long-axis puncture. We suggest beginners learn long-axis puncture method. There is no significant difference in inadequate diagnostic rate among short-axis and long-axis punctures, when the number of operated cases reaches 200. At this point, the operator can choose either way to puncture according to the disease condition or personal interests.
ObjectiveTo study the expressions of BRAF gene in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) >1 cm in diameter, and the invasiveness of PTMC and PTC. MethodsThe data of 275 patients with PTC received surgical treatment and with BRAF gene mutation results in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2011 September to 2013 September were retrospectively analyzed. According to the size of tumors, the patients were divided into three groups, was the diameter <1 cm group, 1 cm< diameter≤2 cm group, and diameter >2 cm group,respectively. The ratio of BRAF gene mutation, and the degree of risk of extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis were compared. ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that tumor size was not related with the age, gender, and BRAF gene mutation rate (P>0.05), while the tumor size was related with the extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), and the ratio of BRAF gene mutation was related with the extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size was associated with extrathyroidal extension (P=0.009) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.000). ConclusionsBRAF gene mutation can increase the extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis risk of PTC, and it is no significantly correlated with tumor size of PTC. The invasiveness of PTC increases with the increased of tumor size, but the PTMC of BRAF gene mutation positive is still require positive treatment.
ObjectiveTo assess the effect of the size of thyroid nodules on the diagnostic rate of ultrasound guided aspiration cytology (US-FNAB). MethodsThe data of 1 142 (performed by two doctors, 571 each) thyroid nodules between March 2011 and April 2014 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Yields of US-FNAB were divided into two levels of adequacy and inadequacy according to the classification standard of the Bethesda system. The thyroid nodules were classified into five groups according to the largest diameter:≤5 mm group, 5-10 mm group,10-20 mm group, 20-30 mm group, and <30 mm group. According to the grouping of the nodules and the efficiency of US-FNAB drawed curve, the adequacy rates of alone and total of two examiners in each group were analyzed, respectively. ResultsThe adequacy rates of US-FNAB of alone and total of two examiners in≤5 mm group, 5-10 mm group,10-20 mm group, 20-30 mm group, and <30 mm group was 68.42%, 83.72%, 86.08%, 84.62%, and 73.53% (examiner 1); 68.75%, 70.53%, 81.05%, 86.15%, and 73.91% (examiner 2); 68.59%, 77.53%, 83.59%, 85.47%, and 73.75% (total of two examiners), respectively. The total adequacy rate of US-FNAB of two examiners in≤5 mm group was lower than that in 10-20 mm group (P<0.001) and 20-30 mm group (P=0.001). The adequacy rate of US-FNAB of examiner 1 in 5-10 mm group was higher than that examiner 2 (P=0.001). ConclusionsThe size of thyroid nodules significantly influences the adequate diagnostic rate of US-FNAB. The adequacy rates of US-FNAB of the largest diameter≤5 mm or <3mm were lower. The low adequacy rate of US-FNAB may be associated with cystic degeneration in the larger nodules.