Role of Neck Palpation for Thyroid Nodule Detection during Health Checkups:

Towards an Appropriate Screening Method

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the current approach adopted for evaluation of thyroid nodules based on palpation and carotid echocardiography and the appropriate methods for thyroid nodule screening.

Methods: Among all patients who visited our hospital, 51 with a thyroid nodule were investigated over 1 year and 9 months. Of these, 48 were newly diagnosed and were categorized into the palpation and carotid artery ultrasonography groups.

Results: The palpation and carotid artery ultrasonography groups included 20 and 28 patients, respectively. The mean maximum diameters of nodules were 2.4 and 1.5 cm in the palpation and carotid artery ultrasonography groups, respectively. In the palpation group, results of detailed evaluation were confirmed in 19 patients, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed in 10 patients, and cancer was detected in 2 patients. In the carotid artery ultrasonography group, results of detailed evaluation were confirmed in 20 patients, FNAC was performed in 12 patients, and cancer was detected in 2 patients. Thyroid cancer, which necessitated surgery occurred in two patients in each group.

Conclusions: Based on neck palpation, we diagnosed two patients with thyroid cancer that necessitated surgery. We conclude that neck palpation performed at routine health checkups could be a useful strategy for thyroid nodule and cancer detection.