Thyroid Nodule Biopsy

Excerpt

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was initially performed in the 1930s when Martin and Ellis first described the procedure and the potential implications in the medical field. Initially, interest in the procedure remained low due in part to concerns with regards to cancer seeding. Walfish later described the use of combined ultrasound guidance and needle aspiration cytology in increasing the diagnostic accuracy of specimen acquisition. The role of ultrasound-guided FNA has evolved over time as an important tool in the assessment of thyroid nodules.

The important aspects of the FNA procedure include:

1. Minimizing patient discomfort

2. Maintaining patient safety

3. Maintaining proper ultrasound and needle technique in order to visualize needle entry to the target nodule

4. Ensuring adequate acquisition of tissue sample