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 in ultrasound (US)-guided thyroid biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Results in 102 patients who underwent sonographically guided thyroid biopsies with both fine needles and core biopsy needles were prospectively evaluated. 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) and 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 complication rate was 0.98% (n = 1). This complication was a minor soft-tissue infection successfully treated with orally administered antibiotics. CONCLUSION: In summary, sonographically guided biopsies of the thyroid performed with single-action core biopsy needles are safe and effective. 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.