Background: Thyroid nodule is a common disorder normally detected by ultrasound. However, little is known about the prevalence of thyroid nodules in the population of Kinshasa. The objective of this study is to determine the ultrasound profile of thyroid nodules and its characteristics in patients followed in Kinshasa hospitals. Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study, based on the medical records of patients who have been operated on in hospitals in Kinshasa. All participants underwent thyroid ultrasound. The clinical and sonographic characteristics were studied. Results: In total, 61 patients (mean age: 47.38 ± 8.8 years, 96.7% women) were included in this study. The mean clinical score of the patients was 3.4 ± 0.84. The majority of patients were classified as having an intermediate risk (85.2%). The majority of ultrasounds performed were indicated for anterior cervical swelling (78.7%). The majority of patients had more than three nodules (34.4%), the outline of the nodules was more regular (85.2%), they had a rounded shape in 11.5%, mostly isoechogenic echogenicity (62.3%) and a solid echostructure in 54.1%. A total of 57.4% of nodules had central vascularization and 23% calcifications. After stratification according to the EU-TIRADS score, a majority of patients were classified at stages 3 and 4 (47.5% and 34.4% respectively). Conclusion: This study showed a proportion of thyroid nodules at malignant risk. Therefore, screening for thyroid nodules should be added to routine workups especially in women to improve early detection of thyroid nodules, targeting those with a high risk profile.
Cite this paper
Kumbu, J. M. , Nkodila, A. N. , Kuzeye, J. N. , Bisuta, S. F. , Matanda, D. T. , Lessenge, J. B. , Bazeboso, J. A. B. , Matondo, E. M. , Makelele, R. V. , Mokambo, O. E. , Kiabaka, H. Y. , Muyumba, E. S. , Kasereka, A. M. , Kimona, C. M. , Kasereka, F. N. , Kiazayawoko, F. Z. , Minouche, C. B. , Lelo, M. T. , Molua, A. and Mukaya, J. T. (2023). Clinical, Laboratory and Ultrasound Profile of Patients with Thyroid Nodules in Kinshasa. Open Access Library Journal, 10, e521. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1110521.
Wémeau, J.L., Sadoul, J.L., Herbomez, M., Monpeyssen, H., Tramalloni, J., Leteurtre, E., et al. (2011) Les recommandations de la société française d’endocrinologie pour la prise en charge des nodules thyroidiens. La Presse Médicale, 40, 793-826.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2011.05.001
Leenhardt, L., Hejblum, G., Franc, B., Fediaevsky, L.D., Delbot, T., Le Guillouzic, D., et al. (1999) Indications and Limits of Ultrasound-Guided Cytology in the Management of Non Palpable Thyroid Nodules. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84, 24-28. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.84.1.5418
Valeix, P., Zarebska, M., Bensimon, M., Cousty, C., Bertrais, S., Galan, P., et al. (2001) Ultrasonic Assessment of Thyroid Nodules, and Iodine Status of French Adults Participating in the SU.VI.MAX Study. Annales d’Endocrinologie, 62, 499-506.
Mazzaferri, E.L. (1993) Management of a Solitary Thyroid Nodule. The New England Journal of Medicine, 328, 553-559.
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199302253280807
Polyzos, S.A., Kita, M., Efstathiadou, Z., Poulakos, P., Slavakis, A., Sofianou, D., et al. (2008) Serum Thyrotropin Concentration as a Biochemical Predictor of Thyroid Malignancy in Patients Presenting with Thyroid Nodules. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 134, 953-960.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-008-0373-7
Joseph, M. (2018) Bidingija, Influence des facteurs géo-éthniques sur les modifications morphologiques et fonctionnelles de la thyroïde au cours de la grossesse: Cas des gestantes chinoises et congolaises suivies en consultation de Médecine Interne. Annals of African Medicine, 11, e2796-e2804.
Bukasa, K.J., Sabbah, N., Bayauli, P.M., Massicard, M., Bidingija, M.J., Nkodila, A., et al. (2021) Cancer de la thyroïde en République Démocratique du Congo: Fréquenceet facteurs de risque. Annales d’Endocrinologie (Paris), 82, 606-612.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ando.2021.09.002
Wemeau, J.L., Sadoul, J.L., Herbomez, et al. (2021) Recommandations de la société francaise d’endocrinologie pour la prise en charge des nodules thyroidiens.
Skowronska, A., Milczarek-Banach, J., Wiechno, W., et al. (2018) Accuracy of the European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) in the Valuation of Thyroid Nodule Malignancy in Reference to the Post Surgery Histological Résultats. Polish Journal of Radiology, 83, e579-e586.
https://doi.org/10.5114/pjr.2018.81556
Joseph-Augustz, J., Lin, L., Demar, M., et al. (2020) Epidemiologic, Clinical, Ultrasonographic, and Cytological Features of Thyroid Nodules in Predicting Malignancy Risk: A Retrospective Study of 442 French Afro-Caribbean Patients. International Journal of Endocrinology, 2020, Article ID: 4039290.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4039290
Russ, G. and Tramallon, J. (2017) Nodule Thyroïdien Stratification du risque de malignité TIRADS—Elastographie DIUE 2016 Module Endocrinologie Centre de Pathologie et d’Imagerie Unité Thyroïde et Tumeurs Endocrines Hôpital La Pitié-Salpêtrière Université Pierre et Marie Curie—Paris VI.
Leenhardt, L., Ménégaux, F., Franc, B. and Hoang, C. (2005) Cancers de la thyroïde. EMC-Endocrinologie, 2, 1-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emcend.2004.10.003
Dieng, M., Cissé, M., Ndour, M.D., Konaté, I., Touré, A.O., Ka, O., Dia, A., et al. (2010) Indications et résultats des thyroidectomies réalisées au sein d’un service de chirurgie générale. A propos de 402 patients opérés Revue Africaine de Chirurgie et Spécialités, 4, 24-27. https://doi.org/10.4314/racs.v4i9.69961
Darre, T., Amegbor, K., Pegbessou, F., Lawson, S., et al. (2014) Profil histo-épidé-miologique des tumeurs du corps thyroIde. Médecine d’Afrique Noire, 61, 249-251.
Allan, C. and Krejbjerg, A. (2014) Epidemiology of Nodular Goitre. Influence of Iodine Intake. Best Practice and Research Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 28, 465-479.
Mesele, M., Degu, G. and Gebrehiwot, H. (2014) Prevalence and Associated Factors of Goiter among Rural Children Aged 6-12 Years Old in Northwest Ethiopia, Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Public Heath, 14, Article No. 130.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-130
Makeieff, M., Marlier, F., Khudjadze, M., et al. (2000) Les goitres plongeants: à propos de 212 cas. Annales de Chirurgie, 125, 18-25.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4001(00)00117-3
Mighri, K., Lahmar, I., Fdhila, R. and Harzallah (2007) Facteurs predictifs de malignite d’un nodule thyroidien. Journal Tunisien d’ORL et de Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, 18, 20-24. https://doi.org/10.4314/jtdorl.v18i1.42040
Russ, G., Bonnema, S.J., Erdogan, M.F., Durante, C.D. and Leenhardt, L.A. (2017) European Thyroid Association Guidelines for Ultrasound Malignancy Risk Stratification of Thyroid Nodules in Adults. European Thyroid Journal, 6, 225-237.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000478927
Moon, H.J., Kwak, J.Y., Kim, M.J., Son, E.J. and Kim, E.-K. (2010) Can Vascularity at Power Doppler US Help Predict Thyroid Malignancy? Radiology, 255, 260-269.
https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.09091284
Makeieff, M., Marlier, F., Khudjadze, M., et al. (2000) Les goitres plongeants: à propos de 212 cas. Annales de Chirurgie, 125, 18-25.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4001(00)00117-3
Kovatcheva, R.D., Shinkov, A.D. and Radina, S.I. (2021) évaluation des performances diagnostiques de l’EU-TIRADS dans la discrimination des nodules thyroïdiens bénins des malins: une étude prospective dans un centre de référence.
Coulibaly, A., Idrissa, G., Anhum, K., Tchimou, A.M. and Kouamé, A.R.T. (2020) Profil des nodules thyroïdiens à l’échographie au Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Yopougon (Abidjan-Côte d’Ivoire). Journal Africain de l’Imagerie Médicale, 12, 13-19.
