[Thyroid nodules: histological approach using microbiopsies obtained with a biopsy gun: preliminary study]

Surgery remains the safest treatment of thyroid nodules, even though the frequency of the cancer is low. Modern diagnostic techniques are aimed at reducing the number of useless surgical interventions. These techniques rely on diagnostic patterns; cytology plays a predominant role. Nevertheless, it is difficult do obtain a sample with enough cellular material for the cytology study. The pathologist must also have skilled experience to provide a reliable reading. Surgical biopsies are no longer performed due to the risk of severe complications. Microbiopsy techniques have been greatly improved and are now widely used for many organs. In this preliminary study, we performed 18 microbiopsies of thyroid nodules measuring less than 1 cm in 18 patients using a 20-gauge biopsy gun. We had one complication: a cervical hematoma after the third biopsy in the series that resolved rapidly. The pathology examination identified follicular adenoma in 14 cases, and Hashimoto thyroiditis in 1. Three small samples contained subnormal thyroid vesicles with suspicion of adenoma for one. All samples were diagnostic, more cellular and easier to read than cytology specimens. This study points to the usefulness of these microbiopsy techniques for histological analysis, particularly applicable to thyroid nodules, and the obvious benefit in biopsy and reading efficiency.