Management of Thyroid Nodules in Children: A single-center experience

Introduction:Thyroid nodules are a common diagnosis in adults. However, in children, they are rare, occurring in only ۱-۵% of cases. Early diagnosis and prompt management are crucial due to the higher likelihood of malignancy. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of thyroid nodules in children and plan their therapeutic management.Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on ۲۹ children who underwent surgery for thyroid nodules at our ENT department between ۲۰۰۰ and ۲۰۲۲.Results:The average age of the patients was ۱۴.۴ years, with a clear predominance of females (sex ratio of ۰.۱۶). The primary complaint was the appearance of an anterior cervical swelling in ۸۲.۷% of cases. The surgical procedures performed on the thyroid gland included isthmectomy in one patient, lobectomy in ۱۶ patients, and total thyroidectomy in ۱۲ patients. Total thyroidectomy was performed in one step in ۱۰ cases and in two steps in ۲ cases where papillary carcinoma was found in the final histological examination of the lobectomy parts.Papillary carcinoma was confirmed in four cases (۱۳.۸%) after definitive histological examination. All patients had favourable outcomes. The mean follow-up was ۳۱ months for benign cases and ۱۵ months after the last course of radioactive iodine therapy for malignant cases.Conclusion:Thyroid nodules are uncommon in children. To evaluate the risk of malignancy in children with thyroid nodules, ultrasound and cytology should be performed. This will help determine the appropriate surgical management.

Keywords:

Thyroid nodule , Pediatric , Thyroid cancer