Endobronchial ultrasonography with transbronchial needle aspiration to sample a solitary substernal thyroid nodule: a new approach.
Sampling of solitary thyroid nodules (STNs) is a common procedure performed for cytological diagnosis. The easiest and safest method is ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB). This technique is usually performed under local anaesthesia in an office setting. In contrast, sampling a substernal STN could prove to be more difficult and problematic, and sometimes requires more invasive procedures. We describe a case of substernal thyroid nodule, where malignancy was excluded using endobronchial ultrasonography with transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). We emphasise the feasibility and safety of EBUS-TBNA in sampling retrosternal thyroid nodules. In appropriate settings, this procedure can help avoid more invasive testing, and subsequently decrease the cost and complications.
Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305, USA.
Michel
M
Chalhoub
Kassem
K
Harris
D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019160:Endosonography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000473:pathology*