Do repeatedly nondiagnostic fine needle aspirations of thyroid nodules predict malignancy risk?

Ann Diagn Pathol. 2014 Oct;18(5):297-300. doi: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2014.08.005. Epub 2014 Aug 16.

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a common, minimally invasive, cost-effective, and rapid method to manage thyroid nodules, but nondiagnostic FNAB (ND-FNAB) is still a common problem due to high prevalence (2%-20%). Our purpose in this study is to investigate risk of malignancy of repeating ND-FNABs and correlation between clinical and ultrasound findings. Our cohort study included 75 patients who had 2 or more times ND-FNABs and, finally, undergone surgical resection. We evaluated demographic, clinical, ultasonographic, and pathologic features. Fifty-seven patients were female, and 22 patients were male. Seventy-five patients' histopathologic results were 76% (n=57) benign and 24% (n=18) malignant. Of malignant nodules, 94.4% (n=17) were papillary carcinoma, whereas 5.6% (n=1) were follicular carcinoma. We did not find any predictive factor for malignancy and any differences associated with clinical and ultrasonographic features between benign and malignant nodules. Reaspiration followed by surgery for appropriate patients is recommended.

Keywords: Biopsy; Malignancy; Nondiagnostic; Surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thyroid Nodule / diagnosis*