BACKGROUND: Nondiagnostic fine-needle aspiration biopsy (ND-FNAB) of the thyroid leads to unnecessary thyroidectomy. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to determine the risk of malignancy in ND-FNABs, and (2) to evaluate factors that may identify patients at risk for a ND-FNAB. METHODS: A total of 241 patients who underwent FNAB and thyroidectomy were evaluated for factors associated with a ND-FNAB. RESULTS: A total of 215 women and 26 men underwent FNAB and thyroidectomy. ND-FNAs occurred in 51 of 241 (21%) patients. Ultrasound guidance did not reduce the likelihood of a ND biopsy. Patients with nodules greater than 3 cm had more ND-FNAs. Twenty-one of 51 with a ND biopsy underwent a repeat FNAB. Repeat FNAB was ND in 29% of patients. There was malignant disease in 7 of 51 (14%) with a ND-FNAB. Patient age, sex, thyroid function, gland size, multiple nodules, and final pathology were not related to a ND-FNAB (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with a ND-FNAB have benign disease and low-risk patients with a ND-FNAB on repeat FNA warrant a more conservative approach.
BACKGROUND: Nondiagnostic fine-needle aspiration biopsy (ND-FNAB) of the thyroid leads to unnecessary thyroidectomy. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to determine the risk of malignancy in ND-FNABs, and (2) to evaluate factors that may identify patients at risk for a ND-FNAB. METHODS: A total of 241 patients who underwent FNAB and thyroidectomy were evaluated for factors associated with a ND-FNAB. RESULTS: A total of 215 women and 26 men underwent FNAB and thyroidectomy. ND-FNAs occurred in 51 of 241 (21%) patients. Ultrasound guidance did not reduce the likelihood of a ND biopsy. Patients with nodules greater than 3 cm had more ND-FNAs. Twenty-one of 51 with a ND biopsy underwent a repeat FNAB. Repeat FNAB was ND in 29% of patients. There was malignant disease in 7 of 51 (14%) with a ND-FNAB. Patient age, sex, thyroid function, gland size, multiple nodules, and final pathology were not related to a ND-FNAB (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with a ND-FNAB have benign disease and low-risk patients with a ND-FNAB on repeat FNA warrant a more conservative approach.
Authors: Anthony E Samir; Abhinav Vij; Melanie K Seale; Gaurav Desai; Elkan Halpern; William C Faquin; Sareh Parangi; Peter F Hahn; Gilbert H Daniels Journal: Thyroid Date: 2012-02-03 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: Ana E Espinosa De Ycaza; Kathleen M Lowe; Diana S Dean; M Regina Castro; Vahab Fatourechi; Mabel Ryder; John C Morris; Marius N Stan Journal: Thyroid Date: 2016-10-05 Impact factor: 6.568