Distribution of Functional Status of Thyroid Nodules and Malignancy Rates of Hyperfunctioning and Hypofunctioning Thyroid Nodules in Germany.

Aim: Thyroid scintigraphy enables the depiction of the functional status of thyroid nodules (TNs) with both, Tc-pertechnetate and Iodine. The functional status is relevant for diagnostic procedures for the differentiation of benign and malignant TNs. The aim of this study was to examine the current frequencies of hyper-, hypo- and isofunctioning TNs in Germany and to estimate the risk of malignancy with regard to functional status.

[Colour-coded duplex-sonography versus scintigraphy. Can scintigraphy be replaced by sonography for diagnosis of functional thyroid autonomy?].

Unlabelled: Since the development of colour coded duplex-sonography (ccds), several attempts have been made to implement this technique for diagnosis of focal lesions in the thyroid. There are controversial discussions on whether ccds might replace thyroid scintigraphy in diagnosis of hyperfunctional thyroid nodules. Aim of this study was the comparison of ccds and thyroid scintigraphy in diagnosis of functional thyroid autonomy.

[Scintigraphically "hot" thyroid nodules mainly go hand in hand with a normal TSH].

Aim: In recent years, various professional societies published guidelines for diagnostic evaluation of thyroid nodules, in which the indication for scintigraphy is restricted to patients with subnormal TSH values. It is seen controversial whether such recommendations should be transferred to Germany, partly because of lower iodine intake in this country and the consequent higher percentage of autonomous thyroid nodules, which are not accompanied by a measurable dysfunction. Since reliable data to this topic are scarce, we analyzed multicentrically the spectrum of scintigraphically "hot" and "warm" nodules under the current epidemiological conditions.

Multiparameter scoring system for the prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer.

Unlabelled: The AIM of the study was to develop a scoring system consisting of multiple parameters that are significant for prognosis of thyroid cancer. The score was designed to permit a risk stratification with all available information at any time of presentation.

Patients, Methods: A score using 25 parameters was used for 171 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, who were included in follow up over a mean of 9 (+/- 5) years.

The diagnostic role of radioactivity in sentinel nodes in oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB), using radioactive tracers, is a novel, interesting tool in the staging of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (OOSCC), which could lead to a reduced rate of elective neck dissections. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ranking of measured radioactivity in the sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and to correlate these findings with histopathological results to assess the number of SLN being sufficient for exact staging of the neck. In 77 consecutive patients with T1-4 OOSCC clinically and positron emission tomography-staged N0, between 15 and 55 MBq of Tc- 99m-labeled albumin-microcolloids were injected peritumorally and 213 SLNs were excised by small skin incisions using a gamma probe 2-3 hours later.