Evidence-Based Data About Prevalence and Risk of Malignancy of Thyroid Incidentalomas Detected by Different PET Radiopharmaceuticals

Abstract

Background: To date, several meta-analyses and systematic reviews have reported data about the prevalence and risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals. Objective: This article aims to summarize the published evidence-based data about the prevalence and risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals. Methods: A comprehensive computer literature search of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published up to July 2019 in PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane library databases regarding the prevalence and risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals was carried out. Results: We have summarized the data about prevalence and risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals (fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose, radiolabelled choline and prostate-specific membrane antigen) taking into account 8 evidence-based articles. Conclusion: Evidence-based data demonstrated that thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals are not infrequent and their risk of malignancy is not negligible, in particular if focal pattern is evident at PET, thus requiring further clinical and instrumental evaluation.