Background: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is the standard diagnostic test f
or evaluating possible malignancy in a thyroid nodule
Objective: To evaluate the role of routine ultrasonography in the managemen
t of nodular thyroid disease.
Design: Retrospective chart review. S
etting: Multidisciplinary thyroid nodule clinic (endocrinology and radiolog
y).
Patients: Patients with suspected nodular thyroid disease or suspected recu
rrent thyroid cancer referred between October 1995 and March 1997. All pati
ents had thyroid ultrasonography and ultrasonography-guided fine-needle asp
iration biopsy of nodules at least 1 cm in maximum diameter.
Measurements: Medical records, ultrasonography findings, cytology reports,
and histologic reports were reviewed. Ultrasonography findings were compare
d with the referring physician's findings on physical examination.
Results: 223 patients were seen in the clinic. A total of 209 fine-needle a
spiration biopsies were performed on 156 patients. Among 50 of 114 patients
referred for a solitary nodule, ultrasonography detected additional nonpal
pable nodules at least 1 cm in diameter in 27 and determined that no nodule
s required aspiration in 23. Of 59 patients referred for a diffuse goiter o
r a multinodular gland, ultrasonography detected discrete nodules at least
1 cm in diameter that required aspiration in 39 and determined that aspirat
ion was unnecessary in 20,
Conclusions: Ultrasonography altered the clinical management for 63% of the
patients (109 of 173) referred to the thyroid nodule clinic after abnormal
results on thyroid physical examination.