Complications following US-guided core-needle biopsy for thyroid lesions: a retrospective study of 6,169 consecutive patients with 6,687 thyroid nodules.
OBJECTIVE
To present the various complications of ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) of thyroid lesions in a large patient series.


METHODS
From January 2008 to March 2013, 6,169 patients underwent US-guided CNB of 6,687 thyroid nodules at a single institution. We assessed the number and types of major and minor complications, and evaluated the factors associated with complications.


RESULTS
Overall, 53 complications were observed in 50 patients (0.81 %), including 4 major and 49 minor complications. The major complications were massive haematoma (n = 2), pseudoaneurysm (n = 1) and voice change leading to disability that lasted for more than 30 days (n = 1). The minor complications were small to moderate haematoma (n = 42), carotid injury (n = 2), voice change that recovered within 30 days (n = 3), tracheal puncture (n = 1) and dysphagia (n = 1). Oedema (n = 12), vertebral puncture (n = 3) and vasovagal reaction (n = 1) were recorded as side effects. The presence of a coprocedure was the only significant factor associated with complications after thyroid CNB (P = 0.023).


CONCLUSIONS
US-guided CNB of thyroid lesions was found in a large population to be a safe procedure with a low complication rate.


CONCLUSIONS
• The complication rate after US-guided CNB for thyroid lesions was 0.81 % (50/6,169). • The rate of major complications was 0.06 % (4/6,169). • Vascular injury was the most common complication (47/6,169; 0.76 %). • None of the patients experienced permanent problems resulting from complications.
Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Wonchon-Dong, Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon, 443-380, Korea.
Eun Ju
EJ
Ha
Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea. radbaek@naver.com.
Jung Hwan
JH
Baek
Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea.
Jeong Hyun
JH
Lee
Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, 224-1 Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 156-755, Korea.
Jae Kyun
JK
Kim
Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea.
Young Jun
YJ
Choi
Department of Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 138-736, Republic of Korea.
Tae Yon
TY
Sung
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 138-736, Republic of Korea.
Tae Yong
TY
Kim
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
Complications; Core needle biopsy; Fine-needle aspiration; Thyroid nodule; Ultrasound