[Nodular goiter surface detection by FTIR spectroscopy].

A novel non-invasive diagnosis method of nodular goiter is proposed in the present study by recording FTIR spectra on the skin overlying thyroids using fiber optical technique and attenuated total reflection probe. FTIR spectra from 20 nodular goiters and 34 normal controls were collected. Twenty seven spectral variables of 13 bands including peak position and relative intensities were extracted from the FTIR spectra so that statistic work could be conducted using SPSS. The results demonstrate that peak positions of 2 925 and 1 250 cm(-1) both shifted toward lower wave number (P < 0.05) in the FTIR spectra of nodular goiter. The relative intensity ratios of H1 740/H1 460, H1 160/H1 460, and H1 160/H1 120 decreased significantly in FTIR spectra of nodular goiter (P < 0.05). Inversely, H1 080/H1 460 increased significantly (P < 0.05) in nodular goiter. The above statistic differences suggest that nodular goiter may produce some characteristic chemical substance which can diffuse onto the surface of skin and therefore be detectable using FTIR spectroscopy with fiber optic techniques. These differences are the basis of diagnosing nodular goiter by FTIR surface detection.