Vascular endothelial growth factor in thyroid cyst fluids

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of cystic thyroid nodules is incompletely understood. Based on the assumption that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of thyroid cyst fluid, we investigated the VEGF concentration in cyst fluids of thyroid lesions. DESIGN: Cyst fluids from 24 patients (age 31-84 years) were obtained using ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. The patients' cystic thyroid nodules were of different origins. METHODS: Thyroid and cyst volumes were determined using high-resolution ultrasonography. VEGF concentrations were determined using a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Differing elevated VEGF concentrations were demonstrated in cyst fluids of thyroid nodules of varied origins. The VEGF concentration in cyst fluid of patients with adenomatous goiter was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in thyroid nodules with cystic degeneration. The highest level of VEGF was found in bloody cyst fluid when compared with levels in other cyst fluids (P < 0.05). Interestingly, there was significant correlation (P < 0.01) between thyroid volume and VEGF concentration in cyst fluid, but no significant correlation (P = 0.20) between cyst volume and VEGF concentration. CONCLUSION: Significantly increased VEGF concentrations were found in bloody cyst fluid and in cyst fluid of thyroid adenomatous goiter, compared with VEGF concentrations in degenerative thyroid cysts. Our results suggest that VEGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of thyroid cyst fluid.