Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration thyroid biopsies in the otolaryngology clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsies (USFNABs) performed in the office setting by an otolaryngologist and to evaluate the specimen adequacy of USFNABs performed in patients whose initial palpation-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies (PGFNABs) were nondiagnostic.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Royal Victoria Hospital-McGill University Health Centre, Montreal.


METHODS
This is a retrospective analysis of 76 USFNABs performed by an otolaryngologist on consecutive patients over a 6-month period. Each patient had a previous nondiagnostic PGFNAB. Biopsies were performed using a 20-gauge fine needle with a Mylab25 Biosound Esoate ultrasound machine. Samples were then classified according to the adequacy of sample and pathologic findings.


METHODS
Specimen adequacy rate.


RESULTS
Sixty-six patients underwent 76 USFNABs. The sample included 57 females and 9 males (mean age 51.1 and 55.4 years, respectively). The specimen adequacy rate was 90.8% (69 of 76). Among the adequate specimens, 2 (2.6%) were malignant, 6 (7.9%) were suspicious for malignancy, 43 (56.6%) were benign, and 18 (23.7%) were follicular or Hürthle cell lesions (indeterminate).


CONCLUSIONS
Our experience demonstrates that USFNAB performed in the clinic by an otolaryngologist is a promising tool for improving specimen adequacy for nodules initially classified as nondiagnostic. USFNAB also avoids the need for radiologic consultation, thus improving efficacy in the workup of nodules.
Schwartz
Joseph
J
Laval University, Montréal, QC H4W 2V8. jsschwartz@gmail.com
How
Jacques
J
Lega
Iliana
I
Cote
Jeanne
J
Gologan
Olga
O
Rivera
Juan-Andres
JA
Garfield
Natasha
N
Zeitouni
Anthony
A
Payne
Richard
R
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography