Table 1 Anamnestic, clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic (US) risk factors for malignancy in the diagnostic approach to children’ thyroid nodules
From: Thyroid nodules in childhood: indications for biopsy and surgery
Anamnestic data | Laboratory data |
– Family history for thyroid cancer | – Increased thyrotropin levels |
– Previous cancer | – High calcitonin levels |
– History of irradiation exposure | US data |
Clinical data | – Nodule hypoechogenicity |
– Lymphoadenopathy | – Nodule microcalcifications |
– Signs of compression of adjacent structures | – Nodule undefined margins |
– Nodule growth under levothyroxine therapy | – Increased intranodular vascular flow |
– Specific lymph node alterations |