Current evaluation of thyroid nodules.
Thyroid nodules are common and frequently benign. Current evaluation by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is efficacious and cost-effective. Results of FNA series confirm that this procedure is safe, without serious complications, reliable, and relatively easy to perform. Radioisotope scanning and high-resolution ultrasonography are used in special circumstances and not as routine diagnostic tests. When FNA biopsy is applied, benign nodules (75%) are followed medically, and suspicious (20%) or malignant (5%) nodules are excised surgically. Overall, FNA biopsy of thyroid nodules has improved surgical selection, resulting in a 25% reduction in thyroidectomies for benign nodules.
Gharib
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Division of Endocrinology/Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.