Abstract
Background: The non-diagnostic category of the Bethesda system has a low malignancy rate; nevertheless, repeat ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) is recommended with no consensus for follow-up intervals. Purpose: To investigate whether a six-month time interval for repeat US-FNA is appropriate for non-diagnostic thyroid nodules after applying the Bethesda system. Material and Methods: From January 2010 to January 2014, 322 thyroid nodules ≥10 mm with non-diagnostic results on initial US-FNA with any follow-up with US or US-FNA were included (mean age = 52.2 years ± 12.4). Clinical and US features were compared according to size change (increase, no change, decrease) and follow-up interval (<6 months and ≥6 months after initial US-FNA), and the minimal time interval observed in nodules with size increase on follow-up. The outcome of non-diagnostic nodules according to follow-up interval and size change were evaluated. Results: Of the 322 nodules, 13 (4.0%) were malignant and 309 (96.0%) were benign. None of the 82 nodules with decreased size were malignant and 90.2% nodules with decreased size were found after six months. Of 175 nodules with repeat US-FNA, repeat cytology results did not differ significantly between the groups with follow-up US-FNA before and after six months (P = 0.337). No significant differences were seen in size or extrathyroidal extension among the 13 malignant nodules according to the six-month interval (all P > 0.05), and no lateral lymph node metastasis was present. Conclusion: Repeat US-FNA for initially non-diagnostic thyroid nodules can be performed at a six-month interval after initial procedure without tumor progression.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 305-312 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Acta Radiologica |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 Mar 1 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2017, © The Foundation Acta Radiologica 2017.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging