What Is the Ideal Core Number for Ultrasonography-Guided Thyroid Biopsy of Cytologically Inconclusive Nodules?

摘要

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Core needle biopsy of the thyroid under ultrasonographic guidance provides a larger tissue sample and may facilitate a more precise histologic diagnosis, reducing the need for repetitive fine -needle aspiration or a diagnostic operation. However, there is no consensus regarding the ideal number of specimens to be obtained for ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy. The aim of this study was to decide the ideal core number for ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy of cytologically inconclusive nodules.