Autonomously functioning thyroid nodule: a patient-based review

Abstract

Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Nodule (AFTN) is a rare cause of hyperthyroidism. AFTN, first described by Emil Goetsch in 1918, is the presence of a single hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule, which is not under the control of the pituitary/thyroid axis. The current theory on the development of hyperfunctioning nodules is the constitutive activation of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor (TSHR) due to a somatic point mutation and mutations of Gsa. The reported incidence of AFTN is about 1% on the investigation of thyroid nodules. Only about 10% 30% become hyperfunction. Due to the rarity and lack of understanding of its characteristic clinical behaviour, AFTNs are often overlooked and undertreated. The ensuing review is based on a 36-year-old female who underwent left hemithyroidectomy for an AFTN and is well to date. There are two main issues in the diagnosis and management of AFTN. The first is that the diagnosis is not always made as most patients with AFTNs are functionally euthyroid. The other is the paucity of data in the literature to offer evidencebased individualized management for patients. As there are no tissue diagnostic criteria for AFTN; clinical, biochemical and radiological assessments to establish TSH independent nodular hyperfunction will clinch the diagnosis. Surgery and Radioiodine ablation remain the main forms of treatment for AFTN. Other methods such as percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT), laser ablation (LA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have a limited role in the management of an AFTN. The newer methods alluded to above will need further evaluation and a better definition of exact roles in the management of an AFTN. Correspondence: M. D. P. Pinto E-mail: d.pinto@kln.ac.lk https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3892-2997 Received: 02-07-2021 Accepted: 18-09-2021 DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljs.v39i3.8857 The Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery 2021; 39(3): 49-54 49 Introduction Hyperthyroidism usually refers to increased synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. Thyrotoxicosis refers to the clinical syndrome of excess circulating thyroid hormones, due to any cause. The incidence of hyperthyroidism in iodine–sufficient western world is 0.2% 1.3% [1]. The common causes of Hyperthyroidism are diffuse toxic goitre (Graves Disease), toxic nodular goitre (Plummer Disease), and toxic phase of autoimmune thyroiditis. Rarely, an Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Nodule (AFTN) will cause hyperthyroidism. Hyperfunctioning malignant thyroid metastases, drug-induced hyperthyroidism and factitious ingestion of excess thyroid hormone are rare causes of toxic symptoms, especially in the iodine sufficient regions. AFTN is the presence of a single hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule, which is not under the control of the pituitary/thyroid axis using Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). AFTN was first described by Emil Goetsch in 1918. Goetsch demonstrated a high concentration of mitochondria in hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules. [2]. In 1960 Tremblay and Pearse did studies and further established the findings of Goetsch. Subsequently further study, AFTN achieved recognition as a separate cause for hyperthyroidism and was known as “Goetsch's disease” by the 1980s [3]. The reported incidence of AFTN is about 1% on the investigation of thyroid nodules [3]. Most are inert and only about 10% 30% become hyperfunction and cause subclinical or overt thyrotoxicosis [4]. Due to the rarity and lack of understanding of its characteristic clinical behaviour, AFTNs are often overlooked and undertreated. Case description A 36-year-old female had been investigated and treated for a left-sided thyroid nodule for 2 years in another institution. She had been having compressive symptoms such as orthopnoea for 1 year before presentation to our institution. At the onset her illness, her thyroid profile showed a hyperthyroid picture with low TSH 0.006microIU/ml (0.44.0), high free T3 (fT3) 5.5pg/ml (1.5-4.1) and normal free T4 (fT4) 0.871ng/dl (0.8-1.7). An ultrasound scan of the neck showed a 3.3 x 2.2cm solitary, predominantly cystic nodule in the left lobe with increased vascularity. No calcifications were seen and the rest of the gland plus neck anatomy were unremarkable. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) showed a Thy 2/ Bethesda II colloid cyst. Radioisotope imaging demonstrated a high uptake in the left lobe with a non-functioning right lobe (Figure 1). She was started on a block and replacement therapy. 50 She was referred for consideration of surgery to our unit. At that time she was clinically and biochemically euthyroid. The possibility of a thyroid hemi-agenesis was considered, in the referral, erroneously, due to the appearance of the isotope scan. The left-sided nodule has grown to 5cm in its largest diameter with radiologically benign character. X-Ray of the cervical spine showed mild narrowing and gross shift of the trachea to the right (Figure 2). Repeat FNAC confirmed a Thy 2 lesion. A diagnosis of an AFTN was made and she underwent left hemithyroidectomy (Figure 3). A single benign colloid cyst was noted in the histopathological report. Her clinical and biochemical profile postoperatively was euthyroid clinically and biochemically confirming the diagnosis of AFTN. She is well 10 months after surgery and not on thyroxine replacement at present. Discussion A hyperfunctioning/ toxic AFTN or Goetsch's disease is now known as a toxic adenoma. AFTNs occur in every age group with a female preponderance. Toxic AFTNS are common in the elderly (>60 years) [3]. The classical clinical presentation is a single thyroid nodule with features of toxicity. The majority of AFTNs are nontoxic as alluded to above. Most patients present due to cosmetic reasons, compressive symptoms or fear of cancer. In the diagnosis and management of AFTN, there are two main issues. The first is that that the diagnosis is not always made as most patients with AFTNs are functionally Figure 2. X-Ray of the cervical spine Figure 1. Radioisotope scan of the thyroid gland 20 minutes after injection of 145mbq of Technetium-99m Pertechnetate Figure 3. Left hemithyroidectomy specimen The Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery 2021; 39(3): 49-54 euthyroid. The other is the paucity of data in the literature to offer evidence-based individualized management for patients. Aetiology The current theory on the development of hyperfunctioning nodules is the constitutive activation of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor (TSHR) due to a somatic point mutation and mutations of Gsa [5]. They are gain-of-function mutations. Pathophysiologically, the development of somatic mutations, progression in nodular growth and achieving autonomic activity has a strong connection to Iodine deficiency [6]. Small clones of cells with TSHR may grow to overcome inhibition by paracrine inputs; achieving an autonomic state [7]. The incidence of these mutations ranges from 8% 80% [5]. The absence of TSHR and Gsa mutations was noted in some AFTNs pointing out that further assessment of molecular pathways in AFTN is required [5]. On perusal of the literature, AFTNs have been described in some patients with Acromegaly. Exposure to long-term surges of growth hormone has been postulated as the possible reason for this. Outcome of AFTNs The progression of AFTN is variable. Outcomes can be categorized on activity (function), morphology, local effects of the nodule and pathological (possibility of malignancy) nature of the AFTN. As mentioned earlier, about 10% 30% may become 'hot/ toxic' nodules, but the majority will stay as 'cold/ nontoxic' nodules [4]. A nontoxic nodule may become toxic between 1 – 11.8 years. This may be one of the reasons why more toxic AFTNs were detected in the elderly [3]. The conversion probability is higher in larger nodules. Nodules larger than 3cm are said to be more likely to be toxic [3,4]. The annual conversion rate is around 4% [8]. These facts signify the importance of close follow up of a non-toxic AFTN, clinically and biochemically after initial diagnosis. Hot nodules may have variable activity levels demonstrating subclinical hyperthyroidism, overt thyrotoxicosis and elevated T3. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is the common outcome of most hot nodules. Our patient had subclinical hyperthyroidism with a 5cm AFTN. She underwent left hemithyroidectomy due to gross deviation of the trachea to the right (Figure 2) and compressive symptoms. A lesser percentage of these nodules become thyrotoxic (especially nodules > 3 cm) and commonly suppress extranodular normal gland activity which may render them invisible with low uptake of tracer at scintigraphy as in this patient. An interesting biochemical finding in some AFTN is the presence of high T3. The likely explanation of the high T3 is an increase in primary production from the gland or peripheral conversion. High T3 has been demonstrated in both cold and hot nodules. Our patient initially presented with high T3 and normal T4 levels. The pathological basis behind an AFTN being cold is the poor iodination of thyroglobulin due to decreased capacity of iodide transport. They retain the ability to organify iodide and may become hyperfunctioning/hot with time. This transition is hypothesized to happen in periods of excess iodine intake [9]. Morphologically an AFTN may remain the same, increasing or decreasing in size [10]. Some studies have noted the disappearance of the nodule as well [11]. Growing nodule compressing on the blood supply of its own has been postulated as the possible reason. Transient thyrotoxic events may occur following acute haemorrhagic infarction of an AFTN [3]. AFTNs are essentially benign conditions. Primary malignancy in the AFTN or the gland with toxic AFTN [12] is a concern but it is rare [13]. Studies have shown the incidence of malignancy in AFTN to be around 3% [13]. Most malignancies are papillary or follicular in origin. H ürthle cell carcinoma has also been reported in some patient