Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 20, Issue 1 79-85, Copyright © 2001 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Ultrasonographically guided thyroid biopsy: a review with emphasis on technique
P. Rausch, K. Nowels and R. B. Jeffrey Jr
Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305-5105, USA.
We describe our technique for ultrasonographically guided fine-needle
aspiration biopsy of the thyroid that achieves a high rate of diagnostic
specimens. Indications for ultrasonographically guided fine-needle
aspiration biopsy included a difficult-to-palpate thyroid nodule and
previously unsuccessful palpation-guided fine-needle aspiration.
Ultrasonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed on
316 thyroid nodules in 306 patients. Adequate cytologic specimens were
obtained in 97.2% of the nodules in which biopsy was performed, with a 2.8%
rate of inadequate cellularity. Two helpful aspects of this technique that
were thought to improve the overall diagnostic yield were the use of color
and power Doppler "vascular mapping" of the nodule just before biopsy and
on-site cytologic control.