Clinical indications for diagnostic thyroid surgery in absence of U/S and FNAC

  • Suspicious clinical mass: Rapidly growing, firm mass, thyroid asymmetry, cervical lymphadenopathy, recent onset hoarseness/ vocal cord paralysis
  • Palpable firm cervical lymph node
  • In addition to above suspicious clinical findings: Prior thyroid cancer, radiation exposure, 1st degree relative with thyroid cancer of MEN2, FDG avid on PET scan, thyroid cancer associated history e.g. familial adenomatous polyposis, Carney complex, Cowden syndrome
  • When referral is not possible for U/S or FNAC

Index: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Thyroid