The Impact of Needle Biopsy on the Preoperative Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

Authors

J. Martin Miller
Joel I. Hamburger
Sudha R. Kini

Abstract

This study compares the noninvasive evaluation of 1,075 patients with "cold" thyroid nodules with the evaluation provided by needle biopsy. It also compares the treatment of this group with that of a similar group of 1,094 patients treated before biopsies were available. The results of these comparisons indicate that needle biopsy: 1) halved the number of surgical candidates; 2) doubled the percentage of cancers in the surgical specimens; 3) reduced the risk that a thyroid cancer would not be operated upon; and 4) accomplished all of the above with a substantial financial saving in overall patient management.

Recommended Citation

Miller, J. Martin; Hamburger, Joel I.; and Kini, Sudha R. (1980) "The Impact of Needle Biopsy on the Preoperative Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 28 : No. 2 , 145-148.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol28/iss2/12