Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Published on: November 10, 2014
Needle tract sinus following aspiration biopsy of papillary thyroid carcinoma: a case report
Adhish Basu1, Sarath C Sistla, Neelaiah Siddaraju
1Department of Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India. adhishbasu@rediffmail.com
Background:
Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid is a simple and safe investigation. Dissemination of malignant cells during FNA for papillary thyroid carcinoma is extremely uncommon.
Case:
We report a 49-year-old woman who presented with a multicystic goiter and palpable cervical lymph nodes. Three sessions of FNAB (a total of 12 needle passes) from a complex cyst overlying the thyroid isthmus using a 22-gauge needle failed to reveal malignant cells. Following the FNAs she developed a persistent discharging sinus at the needle insertion site. Exploration of the neck and histopathologic examination confirmed a well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma infiltrating the skin and strap muscles at a single focus. Debulking surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy had a satisfactory outcome in our patient.
Conclusion:
Skin sinus formation might have been prevented in our case by using a needle with a caliber < 22 gauge and avoiding multiple sessions of aspiration of the same thyroid nodule.
