THYROID BIOPSIES - FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY VERSUS SPRING-ACTIVATED CORE BIOPSY NEEDLE IN 102 PATIENTS

PURPOSE: Use of the single-action spring-activated core biopsy needle was compared with the fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) technique i n ultrasound (US)-guided thyroid biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Resul ts in 102 patients who underwent sonographically guided thyroid biopsi es with both fine needles and core biopsy needles were prospectively e valuated. Results from the 21-gauge FNAB (n = 102) were compared with results from 18-gauge (n = 1), 19-gauge (n = 2), 20-gauge (n = 43), or 21-gauge (n = 56) single-action spring-activated core biopsy needles. RESULTS: If the suggestive and diagnostic results were combined, the diagnostic accuracy for the core biopsy needle was 90.2% (92 of 102) a nd was 80.3% (82 of 102) for FNAB (P = .048). The diagnostic accuracy for the combination of both needles was 97.1% (99 of 102). The complic ation rate was 0.98% (n = 1). This complication was a minor soft-tissu e infection successfully treated with orally administered antibiotics. CONCLUSION: In summary, sonographically guided biopsies of the thyroi d performed with single-action core biopsy needles are safe and effect ive. The results with use of these needles are better than the results of FNAB, but the best results are obtained when both needles are used in the same patient.