Percutaneous large-needle aspiration biopsy histology of palpable thyroid nodules: technical and diagnostic performance.
OBJECTIVE
To report original and review existing data on safety and performance of large-needle aspiration biopsy (LNAB) histology in the preoperative selection of palpable thyroid nodule.


RESULTS
The English literature and original data were reviewed or analysed. The literature on LNAB of thyroid nodules did not report any complications. A study on needle dimensions has explained why LNAB obtains more tissue than fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and is safe. LNAB histology has higher specificity than FNA cytology and markedly reduces the number of inadequate and indeterminate FNA findings. A comparison of 150 FNA-derived cell blocks with 200 LNAB-derived histological blocks after galectin-3 determination in a large nationwide (Italian) study has shown that one to two sections in 10% of the FNA cell blocks and at least five sections in 90% of the LNAB blocks were available for further determinations of thyroid tumour markers.


CONCLUSIONS
LNAB merits further consideration for the preoperative selection of thyroid nodules.
Carpi
A
A
Department of Reproduction and Ageing, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy. a.carpi@med.unipi.it
Nicolini
A
A
Marchetti
C
C
Iervasi
G
G
Antonelli
A
A
Carpi
F
F
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010173:Palpation; D012449:Safety; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037502:Galectin 3