Core Needle Biopsy of the Thyroid: 2016 Consensus Statement and Recommendations from Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology

Abstract

Core needle biopsy (CNB) has been suggested as a complementary diagnostic method to fine-needle aspiration in patients with thyroid nodules. Many recent CNB studies have suggested a more advanced role for CNB, but there are still no guidelines on its use. Therefore, the Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed the present consensus statement and recommendations for the role of CNB in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on evidence from the current literature and expert consensus.

Web‐based thyroid imaging reporting and data system: Malignancy risk of atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance thyroid nodules calculated by a combination of ultrasonography features and biopsy results

“…The FNA and CNB procedures were performed by radiologists under the supervision of 4 clinically experienced thyroid radiologists (J.H.B., J.H.L., J.H.S., and Y.J.C. 19 The operator performed FNA or CNB in accordance with the clinician's preferences.…”

“…Additional CNB procedures were performed when the lesion was considered inaccurately targeted (as was sometimes the case for small nodules) or when an insufficient specimen was suspected on visual inspection. 19…”

Cytomorphologic, Imaging, Molecular Findings, and Outcome in Thyroid Follicular Lesion of Undetermined Significance/Atypical Cell of Undetermined Significance (AUS/FLUS): A Mini-Review

“…So far, the decision for surgery or clinical follow-up would be dependent on the CNB findings [88, 89]. Some of the controversial studies have reported that CNB is more useful for the patients’ management than repeating FNA.…”

Current status of core needle biopsy of the thyroid

“…CNB has been suggested as an alternative to FNA in patients with previous nondiagnostic results [12] or atypia of undetermined significance [13]. It is also useful for the differentiation of rapidly growing thyroid tumors (lymphoma vs. anaplastic thyroid carcinoma), the differentiation of follicular lesions (follicular neoplasm vs. nodular hyperplasia), medullary thyroid carcinoma, calcified thyroid nodules, and degenerating thyroid nodules [6,14,15]. Several studies have suggested the value of CNB as a first-line diagnostic tool for the thyroid [16].…”

“…As the current evidence for the efficacy and safety of thyroid CNB has grown, the KSThR organized a task force team and released the 2016 Thyroid CNB Guidelines [15]. These guidelines include 11 recommendations regarding indications, the device, the procedure, clinical outcomes, and complications.…”