Role of core needle biopsy and ultrasonographic finding in management of indeterminate thyroid nodules.
BACKGROUND
Thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is used as a screening test of choice for evaluation of thyroid nodules. However, approximately 15% to 25% of the cases are classified as indeterminate, posing dilemmas in decision-making. This study was designed to compare the diagnostic performances of second FNA and core needle biopsy of indeterminate nodules by initial FNA.


METHODS
From February 2005 through June 2009, 258 patients who completed scheduled follow-ups were enrolled and the follow-up results were analyzed.


RESULTS
Nondiagnostic results were obtained in 41.8% of the second FNA group and in 1.7% of the core needle biopsy group (p < .001; chi-square). The nodules that show borderline features in preoperative ultrasonography had a malignancy rate of 18.3% and could be identified successfully with core needle biopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Core needle biopsy is a better method for evaluating indeterminate nodules by initial FNA than second FNA, especially in patients with ultrasonographic findings of a borderline nodule.
Park
Kyung Tae
KT
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-Do, Seoul, Korea.
Ahn
Soon-Hyun
SH
Mo
Ji-Hun
JH
Park
Young Joo
YJ
Park
Do Joong
DJ
Choi
Sang Il
SI
Park
So-Yeon
SY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography