Research Article - Otolaryngology Online Journal (2018) Volume 8, Issue 2

Differences neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio on benign and malignant thyroid nodule.

Background: Class III and IV of Bethesda classification is less conclusive in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Molecular testing as an additional examination is not always available. Inflammation has been implicated in initiation and progression of thyroid cancer. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple index of systemic inflammatory response. The aim of this study is to examine the differences of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio between benign thyroid nodule and malignant thyroid nodule. Methods: Eighty seven patients with benign and malignant thyroid nodule were analyzed retrospectively. We evaluated neutrophil lymphocyte ratio with result post-operative patological anatomy. Complete blood counts with differential counts were taken before operation. NLR was calculated by dividing preoperative neutrophil count with lymphocyte count. Patients were categorized into low grade (NLR ≤ 1,91) and high grade (NLR ≥ 1,92). Results: Thyroid nodule were dominant in 78 women patients (89.7%) and 46 patients (58.9%) were malignant. In malignancies, 31 patients (59.6%) were more than 45 year old. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was the most cases with 47 patients (90.39%). The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in malignant thyroid nodules than benign thyroid nodules. Conclusion: There was statistically significant difference of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio between benign thyroid nodule and malignant thyroid nodule.

Author(s): Nugraha RP, Samodra DAE, Indrasari SR

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