Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules

Head Neck. 2021 Mar;43(3):1009-1013. doi: 10.1002/hed.26598. Epub 2020 Dec 28.

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) remains crucial in the evaluation of thyroid nodules with suspicious clinical findings or ultrasound (US) features suggestive of malignancy. The use of US-guidance for FNAB allows real-time visualization of the needle, but is also highly operator-dependent. Physicians from many specialties (endocrinologists, otolaryngologists/endocrine surgeons, nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, and pathologists) are involved in the diagnostic workup of thyroid nodules and a standardized and meticulous technique for US-FNAB is essential for lowering the yield of nondiagnostic specimens and false-negative results. This video, therefore, demonstrates a well-proved technique and technical tips to increase the diagnostic results from US-FNAB.

Keywords: head and neck ultrasound; thyroid cancer; thyroid nodules; ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy; video.

Publication types

  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Nodule* / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional