A Histopathological Audit of Thyroid Surgical Specimens

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to see the frequency of different morphological lesions encountered in surgically excised thyroid glands. Study design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore during a 2-year period commencing from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2006. Materials & methods: All thyroid surgical specimens referred from the four major Surgical Units of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, to the Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, during a 2-year period (2005-2006). Specimens from both sexes and all age groups were included in this study. Results: A total of 662 thyroid specimens were examined histologically. They constituted of 588 specimens (88.82%) from females and 74 specimens (11.17%) from males. The commonest lesion was Colloid Goiter (diffuse and multinodular) constituting 434 cases (65.55%). Next in frequency were tumours (benign and malignant) constituting 151 cases (22.80%). Benign tumours comprised of 113 cases (74.83%) and malignant constituted 38 cases (25.16%) out of 151 thyroid tumours. Follicular adenoma was the commonest tumour constituting of 108 cases (71.52%) followed by Papillary carcinoma constituting 27 cases (17.88%). Other non-neoplastic thyroid lesions included diffuse hyperplasia (3.62%), thyroiditis 2.26%), hyperplastic nodules (1.35%), colloid nodules (1.20%), completion thyroidectomy specimens (1.05%), colloid cysts (0.90%), colloid goiters with associated hyperplastic changes (0.60%), goiters with thyroiditis (0.45%) and a single case of dyshormonogenetic goiter (0.15%). Conclusions: Colloid goiter is the commonest- lesion of the thyroid gland in both sexes and is the commonest cause of an enlarged thyroid gland. This is followed by Follicular adenoma which is the commonest benign tumour of the thyroid. Papillary carcinoma is the commonest malignant tumour seen in all age groups with a predominance in females.