Diagnostic adequacy of surgeon-performed ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules

Background Surgeon‐performed ultrasonography (US) of thyroid nodules might serve as a potential therapeutic guide to designate accurate surgical or clinical intervention. Objective To evaluate the diagnostic adequacy of surgeon‐performed ultrasonography guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid nodules, the factors responsible for diagnostic adequacy and the impact of surgeon‐performed US on treatment approach. Methods Retrospective review of a single surgeon performed 621 US‐guided FNABs without on‐site cytological specimen assessment. Outside US findings were compared to the surgeon‐performed US. Measured variables and outcomes for the study included diagnostic adequacy rates and the effects of detected differences between US reports on treatment variability. Results Diagnostic adequacy rate of surgeon‐performed US‐guided FNAB was determined to be 94.52% without on‐site specimen evaluation by cytologist. Non‐diagnostic specimens occurred in 34 of 621 (5.48%) nodules. The differences detected between the outside US and surgeon‐performed US altered invasive treatment algorithm in 30 (5.47%) patients. FNAB was avoided for 15 (2.7%) patients. Total thyroidectomy became the preferred surgical option in 15 (2.7%) patients after the discovery of additional nodules in the contralateral lobe. Conclusion Surgeon‐performed US offers clear clinical benefits in terms of diagnostic yield of FNAB with providing valuable additional data that might alter surgical treatment approach. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:206–210. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.