Is galectin‐3 a good method for the detection of malignancy in patients with thyroid nodules and a cytologic diagnosis of “follicular neoplasm”? A critical appraisal of the evidence

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background.: Thyroid nodules are the most common surgical disease of the thyroid. Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most commonly employed tool for establishing a diagnosis. However, 15% to 25% of FNAB reports yield inconclusive results. Immunostaining of cytological smears from FNAB with galectin‐3 has been proposed as a tool for differentiating between benign and malignant nodules. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the utility of galectin‐3.Methods.: Prospective studies of nodules with FNAB reports of “follicular neoplasm” and with a definitive diagnosis confirmed by histopathology were selected. Calculations of individual sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were made.Results.: The articles selected were those with the best methodological quality.Conclusion.: Galectin‐3 could be a good tool to guide therapeutic decision in patients with thyroid nodules and FNAB results of follicular neoplasm, but available information has methodological flaws that precludes a definitive answer about galectin‐3 utility in the clinical setting. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 2007

This publication has 61 references indexed in Scilit: