Can sonographic features of microcalcification predict thyroid nodule malignancy? a prospective observational study

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of microcalcification, as well as its associated sonographic features, for prediction of thyroid nodule malignancy. We prospectively assessed the patients with thyroid nodule, who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration during 2017–2020 in Babol, northern Iran. The ultrasonographic characteristics of the nodules, as well as their cytological results, were recorded. We used regression analysis to evaluate the relation between sonographic findings and nodule malignancy. A receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis was also used to estimate the ability of ultrasound to predict the characteristic features of malignancy, as estimated by the area under the curve (AUC). Results Overall, 1129 thyroid nodules were finally included in the study, of which 452 (40%) had microcalcification. A significant positive association was found between nodule malignancy and microcalcification in both univariate (OR=3.626, 95% CI 2.258–5.822) and multivariable regression analyses (OR=1.878, 95% CI 1.095–3.219). In the nodules with microcalcification, significant positive relations were seen between malignancy and hypoechogenicity (OR=3.833, 95% CI 1.032–14.238), >5 microcalcification number (OR=3.045, 95% CI 1.328–6.982), irregular margin (OR=3.341, 95% CI 1.078–10.352), and lobulated margin (OR=5.727, 95% CI 1.934–16.959). The ROC analysis indicated that AUC for hypoechogenicity, >5 microcalcification number, irregular margin, and lobulated margin were 60%, 62%, 55%, and 60%, respectively, in predicting malignant thyroid nodules. Conclusion The findings indicated that microcalcification can be a potential predictor of thyroid nodule malignancy. Also, the presence of irregular or lobulated margins, multiple intranodular microcalcification (>5 microcalcifications), and/or hypoechogenicity can improve the ability of microcalcification in distinguishing malignant from benign nodules.

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A Rationale for Using Sonoelastography in Thyroid Nodular Pathology

Journal of radiology and nuclear medicine ◽

10.20862/0042-4676-2019-100-5-242-246 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 100 (5) ◽

pp. 242-246

Author(s):

L. A. Timofeeva ◽

L. B. Shubin

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Roc Analysis ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Tissue Elasticity ◽

Stromal Component ◽

Collagen Level ◽

Probable Nature ◽

Benign Nodules

Objective. To provide a rationale for using sonoelastography (SEG) in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cancer (TC).Material and methods. Thirty patients with thyroid nodules of various morphological structures were examined. The authors studied the data of SEG and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with monoclonal antibodies against types III and IV collagen (they evaluated the degree of the expressed collagen fibers). Analysis of variance, ROC analysis, and logistic regression were used (by comparing with the expression of collagens) to assess the predictive ability of ultrasound.Results. The study showed that irregular and uneven contours, microcalcifications, and “the height greater than the width” were most significant among the ultrasound signs in the diagnosis of TC. Cool colors prevailed when performing SEG in the pattern of thyroid cancer. Purple-blue hues were predominantly recorded (p<0.05 with regard to benign nodules), green ones were less frequently. ROC analysis of compression elastography showed that the area under the curve was 0.785 (95% CI 0.740-0.826), sensitivity 78.1%, specificity 79.0%. Comparison of the data of IHC and SEG revealed a direct correlation of tissue elasticity with the degree of a stromal component and with the presence of collagen-containing structures.Conclusion. SEG may suppose the probable nature of thyroid nodules on the basis of their morphological features. The low degree of the stromal component and the low content of types III and IV collagen make follicular colloid goiter and adenoma soft, which is recorded at SEG. TC is characterized by a high collagen level attributable to the characteristics of the metabolism of cancer cells, which makes them solid in the mode of SEG.

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Use of Diagnostic Criteria from ACR and EU-TIRADS Systems to Improve the Performance of Cytology in Thyroid Nodule Triage

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13215439 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (21) ◽

pp. 5439

Author(s):

Davide Seminati ◽

Giulia Capitoli ◽

Davide Leni ◽

Davide Fior ◽

Francesco Vacirca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Nodule ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Data Systems ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Radiological Features ◽

Benign Nodules ◽

Design And Methods ◽

The Eu

Objective: The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the European Thyroid Association (EU) have proposed two scoring systems for thyroid nodule classification. Here, we compared the ability of the two systems in triaging thyroid nodules for fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and tested the putative role of an approach that combines ultrasound features and cytology for the detection of malignant nodules. Design and Methods: The scores obtained with the ACR and EU Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (TIRADS) from a prospective series of 480 thyroid nodules acquired from 435 subjects were compared to assess their performances in FNA triaging on the final cytological diagnosis. The US features that showed the highest contribution in discriminating benign nodules from malignancies were combined with cytology to improve its diagnostic performance. Results: FNA was recommended on 46.5% and 51.9% of the nodules using the ACR and EU-TIRADS scores, respectively. The ACR system demonstrated a higher specificity as compared to the EU-TIRADS (59.0% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.0012) in predicting >TIR3A/III (SIAPEC/Bethesda) nodules. Moreover, specific radiological features (i.e., echogenic foci and margins), combined with the cytological classes improved the specificity (97.5% vs. 91%, p < 0.0001) and positive predictive values (77.5% vs. 50.7%, p < 0.0001) compared to cytology alone, especially in the setting of indeterminate nodules (TIR3A/III and TIR3B/IV), maintaining an excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value. Conclusions: The ACR-TIRADS system showed a higher specificity compared to the EU-TIRADS in triaging thyroid nodules. The use of specific radiological features improved the diagnostic ability of cytology.

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FNAC IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SOLITARY THYROID NODULE

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2006.13.04.4934 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 13 (04) ◽

pp. 596-603

Author(s):

SOHAIL RAZA ◽

HAMAD RAZA ◽

ZAHID SAEED ◽

Mubasher Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Nodule ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Military Hospital ◽

Solitary Thyroid Nodule ◽

Benign Nodules ◽

Histopathological Results

Objective: To determine the significant role of FNAC upon other diagnosticmodalities in pre-operative investigations of patients presenting with solitary thyroid nodules and to compare the postoperative histopathological results with the results of FNAC. Design: A Comparative study. Place and Duration ofStudy: Department of Surgery Combined Military Hospital Quetta and Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi fromDecember 1999 to December 2001. Patients and Methods: In this study 46 patients with solitary thyroid nodule werestudied. Only 2 patients were toxic while remaining 44 were with euthyroid. In this study only one case was suspectedto be malignant clinically out of 5 malignant cases. All 46 patients under went thyroid scanning, ultrasound examinationand fine needle aspiration biopsy and the diagnostic accuracy was assessed. Results: 36 patients (78.26%) wereoperated while 10(21.73%) were managed conservatively. There were 5(10.86%) malignant nodules while 41(89.13%)were benign. All the 5 cases with malignancy were with ‘cold’ nodules on scan as most of others, while ‘solid’ onultrasound examination and so were most of other benign nodules. All cases diagnosed malignant pre-operatively onFNAC, proved to be malignant on histopathology after surgery and the others diagnosed as benign on FNAC provedto be benign. Conclusion: This study shows that conventional investigations for evaluation of solitary thyroid nodulesare inaccurate in identifying the malignant from the benign nodules and their routine use in such patients should beabandoned, while the use of FNAC should be encouraged more in our hospitals as this technique is with high degreeof sensitivity and specificity, cost effective and safe.

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Retrospective Application of the 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines for Ultrasound Classification, Biopsy Indications, and Follow-up Imaging of Thyroid Nodules: Can Improved Reporting Decrease Testing?

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal ◽

10.1016/j.carj.2018.09.001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 68-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Manijeh Mohammadi ◽

Carrie Betel ◽

Kirsteen Rennie Burton ◽

Kevin McLughlin Higgins ◽

Zeina Ghorab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Thyroid Nodule ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Lymph Node Involvement ◽

American Thyroid Association ◽

Node Involvement ◽

Benign Nodules

Introduction Thyroid ultrasound has been widely used to determine which nodules need further investigation. The goal of this study is to determine if using an ultrasonographic features checklist based on 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines can improve reporting and decrease unnecessary further testing. Methods In this retrospective study, ultrasonographic images of all nodules biopsied at our institution in 2014 and 2015 were reviewed by radiologists blinded to fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy result using a checklist. The checklist was prepared based on 2015 ATA guidelines. The ultrasonographic characteristics of thyroid nodules were compared with the result of biopsy to determine positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity, and specificity for predicting malignancy. Radiologists also made an overall recommendation on need for FNA. Results A total of 425 thyroid nodule ultrasound scans were reviewed by radiologists. Biopsy results of 31 nodules were malignant and 394 were non-malignant. Malignant nodules showed higher frequency of solid composition, hypoechoechogenicity, and cervical lymph node involvement compared to benign nodules. Solid nodule composition had the highest PPV (13%) and NPV (94.7%). Extra-thyroid extension had the highest specificity (90.1%). Lesion vascularity had the highest sensitivity (83.8%), followed by hypoechogenicity (65.6%). Overall, the checklist had a positive predictive value of 9%, negative predictive value of 97.5%, sensitivity of 96.8%, and specificity of 11.14%. Radiologists determined that 10% of the nodules were very low-risk and did not require FNA. Conclusion Using a checklist based on 2015 ATA guideline thyroid nodule ultrasonographic features is a sensitive tool with high NPV to predict benign thyroid nodule, thereby preventing unnecessary FNAs.

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Role of Midkine in Predicting Malignancy in Patient with Solitary Thyroid Nodule

Journal of Cancer and Tumor International ◽

10.9734/jcti/2019/v9i230102 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Nesma A. Ibrahim ◽

Ahmed M. Hamam

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Nodule ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Clinical Problem ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Heparin Binding ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Solitary Thyroid Nodule ◽

Needle Aspiration Cytology ◽

Benign Nodules

Background: Solitary thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem. None of sonographic features is sufficient to discard or detect malignancy efficiently. Midkine is a novel heparin-binding growth factor, plays critical roles in carcinogenesis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum midkine levels in patients with solitary thyroid nodules to predict malignancy. Methods: A total of 100 patients who had solitary thyroid nodules were enrolled in the study. Serum midkine levels were measured. Fine needle aspiration cytology was done to all nodules (25 suspicious/ malignant and 75 benign). Results: Serum midkine levels were significantly higher in patients who had nodules with the following sonographic features; hypoechoic nodules compared to isoechoic and hyperechoic nodules (P=0.024), nodules with microcalcification compared to nodules with macrocalcification or without calcification (P = 0.011), nodules with irregular borders compared to nodules with regular borders (P = 0.014) and nodules more than 2 cm in length than shorter ones (P = 0.011). Serum midkine levels were also higher in nodules with absent halo compared to those with clear halo but with no significant difference (P = 0.660). Also, levels of serum medikine were significantly higher in suspicious/ malignant nodules than in benign nodules (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Serum midkine can predict malignancy in solitary thyroid nodule and also well correlated with sonographic features of thyroid nodules. We suggest that midkine levels may serve as a novel biochemarker in association with sonographic features in evaluation of solitary thyroid nodules.

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Factors affecting thyroid nodule fine needle aspiration non‐diagnostic rates: a retrospective association study of 1975 thyroid biopsies

Thyroid Research ◽

10.1186/s13044-021-00093-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Devon Houdek ◽

Sandra Cooke-Hubley ◽

Lakshmi Puttagunta ◽

Donald Morrish

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Nodule ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

High Volume ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Care Providers ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Procedural Volume ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Benign Nodules ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Thyroid nodules are common in clinical practice, and it is important to distinguish benign nodules, the vast majority, from malignant ones. Non-diagnostic (ND) samples have the potential to delay or mis-diagnose or lead to unnecessary surgeries, and it is important to examine what factors influence the ND rate. Prior literature has suggested that the impact of bedside cytology on ND rate is dependent on the initial adequacy rate, whereby higher ND rates benefit most from bedside cytology. We aim to compare the impact of bedside adequacy review between specialist groups who perform high volume thyroid biopsies with low initial ND rates. Methods We reviewed the cytopathology results of 1975 thyroid nodule FNAs performed between January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 in a multi-centre Canadian city, and the corresponding histopathology reports of 340 resected nodules. Descriptive variables were used to describe the data along with chi-squared testing and univariate logistic regression. Results The FNA biopsies were performed by three different speciality groups, which differed by procedural volume: radiology performed the most at 1171, pathology performed 655 and surgery performed 103. We could not define the operator for 45 of the nodules. The ND rate was lowest in the speciality groups with highest procedural volume, 3.4 % in pathology and 8.3 % in radiology, compared to 37.9 % in surgery (p < 0.001). Completion of bedside cytology rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) significantly reduced the ND rate from 16.7 to 4.2 % for all samples (p < 0.001). When ROSE was compared with non-ROSE within a high procedural group (radiology), it further reduced the ND rate from 12.5 to 5.1 % (p < 0.001). Of the 340 resected nodules, 10.7 % (18) were in the ND category, of which 28 % (5/18) of these were found to be malignant (4 papillary carcinoma and 1 lymphoma). Conclusions The results from this study demonstrate that thyroid FNAs performed with bedside ROSE can significantly reduce the ND rate compared with non-ROSE, even in experienced groups with low initial ND rates. It is therefore imperative that care providers managing patients with thyroid nodules ensure that thyroid FNAs are referred to specialized individuals/groups who do high volume, and ideally with the use of bedside ROSE, whether provided by a cytotechnologist or a pathologist.

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Choosing the best algorithm among five thyroid nodule ultrasound scores: from performance to cytology sparing—a single-center retrospective study in a large cohort

European Radiology ◽

10.1007/s00330-021-07703-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Clotilde Sparano ◽

Valentina Verdiani ◽

Cinzia Pupilli ◽

Giuliano Perigli ◽

Benedetta Badii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Nodule ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Real Life ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Diagnostic Procedures ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Common Disease ◽

Single Center ◽

Thyroid Microcarcinoma ◽

Thyroid Malignancies

Abstract Objective Incidental diagnosis of thyroid nodules, and therefore of thyroid cancer, has definitely increased in recent years, but the mortality rate for thyroid malignancies remains very low. Within this landscape of overdiagnosis, several nodule ultrasound scores (NUS) have been proposed to reduce unnecessary diagnostic procedures. Our aim was to verify the suitability of five main NUS. Methods This single-center, retrospective, observational study analyzed a total number of 6474 valid cytologies. A full clinical and US description of the thyroid gland and nodules was performed. We retrospectively applied five available NUS: KTIRADS, ATA, AACE/ACE-AME, EUTIRADS, and ACRTIRADS. Thereafter, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV, along with the number of possible fine-needle aspiration (FNA) sparing, according to each NUS algorithm and to clustering risk classes within three macro-groups (low, intermediate, and high risk). Results In a real-life setting of thyroid nodule management, available NUS scoring systems show good accuracy at ROC analysis (AUC up to 0.647) and higher NPV (up to 96%). The ability in FNA sparing ranges from 10 to 38% and reaches 44.2% of potential FNA economization in the low-risk macro-group. Considering our cohort, ACRTIRADS and AACE/ACE-AME scores provide the best compromise in terms of accuracy and spared cytology. Conclusions Despite several limitations, available NUS do appear to assist physicians in clinical practice. In the context of a common disease, such as thyroid nodules, higher accuracy and NPV are desirable NUS features. Further improvements in NUS sensitivity and specificity are attainable future goals to optimize nodule management. Key Points • Thyroid nodule ultrasound scores do assist clinicians in real practice. • Ultrasound scores reduce unnecessary diagnostic procedures, containing indolent thyroid microcarcinoma overdiagnosis. • The variable malignancy risk of the “indeterminate” category negatively influences score’s performance in real-life management of thyroid lesions.

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Punção Aspirativa de Nódulos da Tiroide: Vale a Pena Repetir?

Acta Médica Portuguesa ◽

10.20344/amp.8215 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 472

Author(s):

Vera Fernandes ◽

Tânia Pereira ◽

Catarina Eloy

Keyword(s):

Fine Needle Aspiration ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Fine Needle ◽

High Concordance ◽

Benign Nodules ◽

Cytology Result ◽

Undetermined Significance

Introduction: The fine-needle aspiration has a significant role in assessing the malignancy risk of thyroid nodules. There is uncertainty regarding the value of repeat fine-needle aspiration in benign nodules. This study aims to evaluate the concordance of results in consecutive fine-needle aspiration and to study the relevance of repetition in benign results.Material and Methods: Retrospective study of the 4800 thyroid nodules fine-needle aspiration held in Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto between January 1, 2014 and May 2, 2016. Of the initial sample, we selected the repeated fine-needle aspiration on the same nodule.Results: The first fine-needle aspiration result of the 309 nodules underwent revaluation was non-diagnostic in 103 (33.3%), benign in 120 (38.8%) and atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance in 86 (27.8%). The agreement between the first and second fine-needle aspiration was significantly higher in cases with an initial benign result (benign: 85.8%, non-diagnostic: 27.2% and atypia/ follicular lesion of undetermined significance: 17.4%, p < 0.005). The fine-needle aspiration repeating motifs in initially benign nodules (n = 78) were repetition suggestion in 58, nodule growth in 17 and suspicious ultrasonographic features in 3.Discussion: The fine-needle aspiration repetition in nodules with initial non-diagnostic and atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance result changed the initial diagnosis in a significant proportion of patients, modifying their therapeutic approach. The high concordance of results in initially benign nodules makes fine-needle aspiration repetition not cost-effective in most cases.Conclusion: The fine-needle aspiration should be repeated when the initial cytology result is non-diagnostic or atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance.

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NO BENEFIT OF DEDICATED THYROID NODULE SCREENING IN PATIENTS WITH ACROMEGALY

Endocrine Practice ◽

10.4158/ep-2019-0254 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 16-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ngan Betty Lai ◽

Dave Garg ◽

Anthony P. Heaney ◽

Marvin Bergsneider ◽

Angela M. Leung

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Growth Hormone ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Thyroid Nodule ◽

Fine Needle Aspiration ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Papillary Thyroid ◽

Fine Needle

Objective: Acromegaly results from the excessive production of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1. While there is up to a 2-fold increased prevalence of thyroid nodules in patients with acromegaly, the incidence of thyroid cancer in this population varies from 1.6 to 10.6% in several European studies. The goal of our study was to determine the prevalence of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer among patients with acromegaly at a large urban academic medical center in the United States (U.S.). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with acromegaly between 2006–2015 within the University of California, Los Angeles health system. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, thyroid ultrasounds, thyroid nodule fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy cytology, and thyroid surgical pathology. Results: In this cohort (n = 221, 49.3% women, mean age 53.8 ± 15.2 [SD] years, 55.2% Caucasian), 102 patients (46.2%) underwent a thyroid ultrasound, from which 71 patients (52.1% women, mean age 52.9 ± 15.2 [SD] years, 56.3% Caucasian) were found to have a thyroid nodule. Seventeen patients underwent a thyroid nodule FNA biopsy and the results revealed 12 benign biopsies, 1 follicular neoplasm, 3 suspicious for malignancy, and 1 papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), from which 6 underwent thyroidectomy; PTC was confirmed by surgical pathology for all cases (8.5% of all nodules observed). Conclusion: In this sample, the prevalence of thyroid cancer in patients with acromegaly and coexisting thyroid nodules is similar to that reported in the general U.S. population with thyroid nodules (7 to 15%). These findings suggest that there is no benefit of dedicated thyroid nodule screening in patients newly diagnosed with acromegaly. Abbreviations: AACE = American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; ATA = American Thyroid Association; DTC = differentiated thyroid cancer; FNA = fine needle aspiration; GH = growth hormone; IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor-1; PTC = papillary thyroid cancer; U.S. = United States

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Comparison on the Use of Spinal (Stylet) Needle and Simple Needle in Ultrasound Guided Thyroid Nodule FNA; Does the Needle Affect Thyroid FNA Result?

Iranian Journal of Radiology ◽

10.5812/iranjradiol.98754 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Alireza Aziz Ahari ◽

Mohammad Ali Mohammadi Vajari ◽

Navid Khatibi Moghadam ◽

Hassan Hashemi ◽

Mahmoud Parvin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Nodule ◽

Fine Needle Aspiration ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Fine Needle ◽

Needle Type ◽

Expert Radiologist ◽

Diagnostic Samples ◽

Thyroid Fna

Background: Thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) is currently the most acceptable method for evaluating thyroid nodules. Non-satisfactory sample is the main limitation of FNA. It has been shown that spinal needles can reduce the number of non-diagnostic samples. Objectives: In this study, we decided to compare the results obtained using spinal (stylet) needle and simple needle in thyroid nodule FNA according to the agreement between them and with the pathology results as the gold standard. Patients and Methods: Sampling of thyroid nodules of 156 patients was performed by a simple non-stylet 23 gauge needle (A) and a spinal 22 gauge needle with stylet (B). The samples were provided to the pathologist for blind examination. All samples were obtained by an expert radiologist and the pathology examination was also performed by a pathologist expert in thyroid gland diseases. Blind analysis was done using SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA). Results: The results of FNA with needles A and B were reported unsatisfactory in 11.51 (18 subjects) and 3.84 (six subjects), respectively (P = 0.01). The result in 63.46% (99 subjects) of the participants, in whom FNA was obtained by needle B was introduced as a better sample by the pathologist in comparison with 36.44% (57 subjects) (P < 0.001). Cancer was diagnosed in 9.56 and 7.66 of the samples yielded by needles B and A, respectively, which was not statistically significant (P = 0.54). There was also a significant relationship between thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) score and FNA result. Conclusion: A significant relationship between the adequate sampling results, the qualitative examination result, TI-RADS score and the needle type indicates the importance of needle type on the results of thyroid FNA. Using spinal (stylet) needles may reduce the number of non-diagnostic samples in fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules and therefore, can have a better effect on the results of this method.

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