Long-Term Ultrasonography Follow-Up of Thyroid Colloid Cysts at the Health Center: A Single-Center Study

Abstract EN

Objective.

No previous study has employed long-term follow-up ultrasonography (US) examinations for evaluating thyroid colloid cysts (TCCs) in the general population.

This study aimed to assess the interval changes of TCCs at the health center by evaluating long-term US follow-up examinations.

Methods.

For evaluation of the thyroid gland at our health center from 2006 to 2010, 3692 individuals underwent 4 or more thyroid US examinations at an interval of 1 year or 2 years.

We assessed the interval changes of TCCs ≥ 5 mm on US follow-up examinations.

Results.

Of the 3692 subjects, only 115 (3.1%) showed TCCs ≥ 5 mm on one or more thyroid US examinations.

The interval changes in TCCs, as shown by the thyroid US examinations performed during the study period, were classified as follows: no interval change ( n = 60 ), gradual increase ( n = 37 ), gradual decrease ( n = 6 ), positive fluctuation ( n = 10 ), negative fluctuation ( n = 0 ), and disappearance ( n = 2 ).

No subject reported any relevant symptom pertaining to TCCs.

Conclusions.

Overall, follow-up US examinations showed various interval changes in TCCs, but a majority of TCCs showed no interval change or a gradual increase in size.