Abstract

Background: Nodularity in thyroid is a popular disorder in adults. However, solitary swelling has to be investigated well for its neoplastic risk. Solitary thyroid nodule can be defined as an isolated palpable mass in an otherwise apparently normal thyroid gland. Solitary thyroid nodules are common and found in 3-4% of adults in USA and UK. They are 3 to 4 times more common in females than males.



Objectives: The goal of this study is to determine the occurrence of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodule in Tikrit city.



Patients and methods: A retrospective study conducted in Tikrit City after thyroidectomies for the duration between June 2021 and January 2022. The sample size is (197) patients whom information was obtained from records of Salah El Deen General Hospital / Tikrit emergency Hospital / Al Tawfeeq Private Hospital and Al Zuhour Private Hospital. All thyroid glands with nodule/s were included for neoplastic evaluation depending on the histopathological results which were gathered from private laboratories.

Results: Solitary thyroid nodules found in 31.4% of cases with female to male ratio of F: M 4.6:1. Malignancy incidence was 35.4% with papillary carcinoma forming 86.3%. Nearly half of nodules (45%) in male are malignant. Solitary thyroid nodules reveal a high peak among the middle age groups 30 – 49 with incidence of (65%).



Conclusion: malignancy in solitary thyroid nodule is high in Tikrit province. solid nodules, right lobe nodule, male and old age carry higher risk.

Keywords: Solitary thyroid nodule, Tikrit province.