title: Preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules: the surgeon's point of view.
abstract: A selective approach to patients with thyroid nodules, in order to differentiate between negative findings and uncertain or positive results requiring surgery, has been outlined. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most reliable and cost-effective technique currently available to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid disease. In those lesions diagnosed by FNAB as 'follicular lesions', radionuclide scanning, serum calcitonin and CEA determination, color doppler ultrasonography and the response to TSH suppressive therapy may be of assistance. Despite such screening procedures, the majority of follicular lesions remain indeterminate, and surgery is therefore necessary before a correct diagnosis can be made.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Clinica Chirurgica Generale 3, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pelizzo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toniato
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piotto
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bernante
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pagetta
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*