Is thyroid nodule calcification scary?

Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

Updated on September 15, 2024

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Thyroid nodule calcification is a common disease of the human thyroid gland. When seeing thyroid nodule calcification, we should not be afraid. Thyroid nodule calcification refers to the dense proliferation of thyroid cells, which, during an ultrasound examination, appears as strong spots, specks, or rings on the thyroid. Thyroid nodule calcification can be divided into coarse calcification and microcalcification. Generally, coarse calcification is benign, and we can continue to observe it. If it is microcalcification, we can conduct a pathological examination. If it is malignant, surgical treatment can be performed; if it is benign, we can continue to observe. Therefore, thyroid nodule calcification is not something to be afraid of.

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Written by Luo Han Ying

Endocrinology

45sec

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Post-thyroidectomy complications

In clinical practice, for large thyroid nodules that cause compressive symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, breathlessness, and hoarseness, thyroid nodule excision surgery can be performed. However, this surgery can have sequelae. First, if the excised thyroid tissue is too large, it can easily lead to reduced thyroid function, requiring lifelong supplementation with thyroid hormones for treatment. Secondly, due to the sensitive location of the thyroid gland, which is surrounded by various glands and nerves, injury during surgery can lead to complications such as seizures and hoarseness, which are considered post-surgical sequelae.

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Written by Hu Jian Zhuo

Nephrology and Endocrinology

1min 25sec

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Differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Generally speaking, whether benign or malignant, thyroid nodules show blood flow signals. For benign nodules, blood flow signals can be seen around the perimeter, with internal blood flow no different from normal thyroid tissue. In such cases, the nodules are typically diagnosed as thyroid adenomas, and they usually appear round or oval in shape with a uniformly echoic internal substance. If liquefaction occurs, mixed or cystic changes can appear; the tumor’s capsule tends to be intact, with clear boundaries. If a nodule has abundant internal blood flow with disorganized vessel distribution and high flow velocity, showing a high-resistance flow pattern, and has relatively less peripheral blood flow, it generally needs to be assessed for thyroid cancer. These nodules are often hypoechoic with irregular shapes, and the ratio of their longitudinal to transverse diameter is greater than 1. They have unclear boundaries, lack a capsule, and have no halo. In typical cases, microcalcifications like sand grains can also be observed. From the above analysis, we can see that the blood flow signals in thyroid nodules are complicated and reflect the extent of the nodular pathology. These signals can help in differentiating benign from malignant nodules, but when a rich and disorganized blood flow is observed, the nodule is more likely to be malignant.

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Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

53sec

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Is thyroid nodule calcification scary?

Thyroid nodule calcification is a common disease of the human thyroid gland. When seeing thyroid nodule calcification, we should not be afraid. Thyroid nodule calcification refers to the dense proliferation of thyroid cells, which, during an ultrasound examination, appears as strong spots, specks, or rings on the thyroid. Thyroid nodule calcification can be divided into coarse calcification and microcalcification. Generally, coarse calcification is benign, and we can continue to observe it. If it is microcalcification, we can conduct a pathological examination. If it is malignant, surgical treatment can be performed; if it is benign, we can continue to observe. Therefore, thyroid nodule calcification is not something to be afraid of.

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Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

34sec

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How to treat thyroid nodules calcification.

The treatment of thyroid nodule calcification in clinical practice is based on the size of the calcification lesions. Because large calcified thyroid nodules have a very small possibility of malignancy, the routine clinical approach is to continue observation and perform cytological examination through thyroid fine-needle aspiration. For small calcified thyroid nodules, which have a higher likelihood of malignancy, active surgical treatment is usually adopted. During surgery, the next steps of the treatment plan are determined based on the pathological findings.

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Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

52sec

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How to Treat Calcification of Thyroid Nodules

In the treatment of thyroid nodule calcification, we generally decide based on the size of the calcification. Usually, larger calcifications have a lower malignancy rate. Such calcifications can continue to be observed. Depending on specific circumstances, a fine needle aspiration cytology test may be chosen. Depending on the results of the pathological examination after the aspiration, we decide the next treatment approach, whether to continue observation or proceed with surgery. The second type involves smaller calcifications, which relatively have a higher malignancy rate. Our preferred treatment is surgery. During the surgery, based on the medical examination results, if the nodule is malignant, we need to further devise other treatment plans, including expanded surgery, radiotherapy, etc.