Needle biopsy in the assessment and management of hypofunctioning thyroid nodules

Needle biopsy of hypofunctioning solitary thyroid nodules provides direct diagnostic information which would be otherwise obtainable only by surgery. The technique is safe and cost-effective. It provides a high diagnostic yield. It is also useful in planning surgery and reducing dependence on frozen-section diagnosis, which is often difficult with thyroid nodules. Technical and interpretative precautions are discussed. Of 192 patients undergoing this procedure, a satisfactory specimen was obtained in 95 percent. Needle aspiration biopsy (fine needle) was done in 110 patients with good cytologic correlations. Of 52 glands subsequently excised, carcinoma was present in 22 (42 percent). The preoperative diagnosis had been made in 19 (86 percent) of the latter group. This procedure is recommended for consideration in the assessment and management of hypofunctioning thyroid nodules.