Redefining Thyroid Nodule Evaluation: Demographics, Misleading Symptoms, and Diagnostic Challenges. Insights From a Multicenter Study
Authors' conclusion
A third of TNs are diagnosed during US prompted by LS, yet only NMs are associated with distinct nodule characteristics. Dysphagia and dysphonia were nonspecific and more related to gastroesophageal reflux disease than TNs. These findings support caution against overuse of US. Demographics, nodule features, and location should guide clinical suspicion and imaging decisions to avoid unnecessary imaging and interventions.
Study context
- Population
- Patients diagnosed with thyroid nodules via ultrasound (US) at 2 endocrinology centres in Italy, December 2021–October 2022
- Participants
- 614 patients
- Exposure
- Symptomatic thyroid nodules (TNs) vs nonsymptomatic TNs
- Outcome
- Referral reason and clinical, US and management characteristics
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Symptomatic TNs
28.7%
Neck mass (NM)
19.2%
Local symptoms (LS)
9.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Management and malignancy
- Fine-needle aspiration more common in NM because of larger nodules
- Malignancy rates did not differ across groups
- Surgical rates similar
- Thermal ablation more frequent in NM
Original publication
Redefining Thyroid Nodule Evaluation: Demographics, Misleading Symptoms, and Diagnostic Challenges. Insights From a Multicenter Study. Endocr Pract. Published 20 August 2025. doi:10.
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