Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39879628›Full record

ArticleThe Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism2025

Natural History of Cytologically Low-Risk Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules.

Marsida Teliti, Spyridon Chytiris, Francesca Coperchini, Matteo Cerutti, Beatrice Grillini, Maria Gallo, Benedetto Calì, Giovanni Arpa, Mario Rotondi, Flavia Magri

Erratum issuedAbstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Marsida TelitiDepartment of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Spyridon ChytirisUnit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Francesca CoperchiniDepartment of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Matteo CeruttiDepartment of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Beatrice GrilliniDepartment of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Maria GalloDepartment of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Benedetto CalìIstituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Department of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Giovanni ArpaIstituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Anatomic Pathology, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Mario RotondiDepartment of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-6464-2334
Flavia MagriDepartment of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-4846-9847

Funding

European Union-NextGenerationEU PE00000003Italian Ministry of University and ResearchNational Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

contextThyroid nodules classified cytologically as low-risk indeterminate lesions (TIR3A) on fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) present a clinical challenge due to their uncertain malignancy risk.

objectiveThis single-center study aimed to evaluate the natural history of TIR3A nodules.

methodsFNABs performed between July 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively retrieved and patients, with TIR3A nodules were evaluated at baseline and throughout a follow-up based on ultrasound (US) parameters and clinical data.

resultsThe final study group encompassed 371 patients with an initial TIR3A cytological result. Among them, 102 were directed to surgery after the first endocrinological evaluation, and 269 were directed to conservative follow-up. Repeat FNAB was performed in 120 out of 269 and 13 further patients underwent surgery following FNAB repetition. The malignancy rate among TIR3A nodules was 16.5%, with most interventions being performed for reasons unrelated to the TIR3A result. Repeat FNAB provided a more definitive diagnosis in 40% of cases, with a 5% increase in malignancy risk. The remaining patients were monitored with clinical and US follow-up. Among all patients with TIR3A cytology managed conservatively (149 without FNAB repetition and 66 with at least one FNAB repetition), no significant changes in nodule size and/or US pattern were observed during a median follow-up of 3.3 years.

conclusionThese findings suggest that active surveillance is a safe option for managing TIR3A nodules, particularly when no additional risk factors are present. The study highlights the role of repeat FNAB in reducing unnecessary surgeries and underscores the generally indolent nature of TIR3A nodules.

Indexed as

Biopsy, Fine-NeedleThyroid NeoplasmsThyroid NoduleWatchful WaitingAgedFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentThyroidectomyThyroid GlandUltrasonographyFNABindeterminate thyroid cytologythyroidthyroid nodulesthyroid ultrasound

Identifiers

PMID39879628
PMCPMC12012805

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.