DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF ULTRASONOGRAM NECK VERSUS THYROGLOBULIN FOR FOLLOW UP OF PAPILLARY CARCINOMA PATIENTS WITH TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY.
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Keywords
Thyroglobulin, neck Ultrasonogram, Papillary carcinoma, thyroidectomy
Abstract
Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography neck (Neck US) and thyroglobulin (Tg) tests for the follow-up of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) following total thyroidectomy.
Methods: This study looked at neck US and Tg levels in detecting disease residual or recurrence in PTC patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy. A total of 100 patients were included in the analysis, and Tg testing and Neck US were performed on them at regular follow-up intervals.
Results: The Thyroglobulin (Tg) test demonstrated a higher sensitivity of 83.33% than Neck US, which had a sensitivity of 66.67%. This suggests that the Tg test is more effective in detecting true positive cases of recurrence or residual disease. But because Neck US had a higher specificity, it was better at ruling out false positives. Early detection was aided by Tg, and recurrence or residual disease was confirmed by Neck US. Tg and Neck US offered complementary diagnostic data when combined.
Conclusion: The Thyroglobulin (Tg) test is more sensitive and, as a result, more successful in detecting recurrence or residual disease in PTC patients following a thyroidectomy. Neck ultrasonography continues to be a helpful confirmatory test to assist clinicians in making decisions and excluding false positives due to its higher specificity. A combined approach that makes use of both tests is recommended for PTC patients in order to provide the best follow-up care.
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Dr. Ansuman Pradhan
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, SJ MCH, Puri
Dr. Nilamadhaba Prusty
Associate Professor, Department of ENT, FM MCH, Balasore
Dr. Dillip Kumar Chand
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, SJ MCH, Puri
Dr. Siddharth Panditray
Assistant Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, AHPGIC, Cuttack