THYROID-NODULES - EVALUATION WITH US-GUIDED CORE BIOPSY WITH AN AUTOMATED BIOPSY GUN

To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided automated core biop sy of thyroid nodules, 74 biopsies were performed in 61 consecutive pa tients with an 18-gauge short-throw (1.1-cm excursion) biopsy gun. Res ults were correlated with diagnoses made at surgery (n = 38) or at son ographic follow-up of at least 6 months (n = 36). Sensitivity, specifi city, and accuracy of diagnoses made with automated core biopsy were 8 4%, 95%, and 91%, respectively. US-guided biopsy with an automated bio psy gun allowed accurate assessment of thyroid nodules.