Optimal timing for a repeat fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodule following an initial nondiagnostic fine-needle aspiration

The impact of repeat FNA in non‐diagnostic and indeterminate thyroid nodules: A 5‐year single‐centre experience

“…These results reinforce the perceived concept in the literature that the risk of malignancy in cases primarily classified as non‐diagnostic is actually low . Our results are somewhat similar to a recently published paper showing an 85% rate resolution when reassessing non‐diagnostic nodules . Non‐diagnostic cytology has been shown to comprise many more false‐negative than false‐positive cases, supporting that fact that patients should be managed according to their ultrasound characteristics, and promptly reassessed in cases of highly suspicious nodules .…”

“…Our results are somewhat similar to a recently published paper showing an 85% rate resolution when reassessing non-diagnostic nodules 3. Non-diagnostic cytology has been shown to comprise many more false-negative than false-positive cases, supporting that fact that patients should be managed according to their ultrasound characteristics, and promptly reassessed in cases of highly suspicious nodules 3,5. One of the major limitations of the current study paper is the lack of histological correlation, and data on the sensitivity and specificity of the repeat FNAs are absent.…”

“…Only 20% of the cases of the primary non-diagnostic samples were put in indeterminate categories: 17 as AUS/FLUS and one as suspicious. These results reinforce the perceived concept in the literature that the risk of malignancy in cases primarily classified as non-diagnostic is actually low 3,4. Our results are somewhat similar to a recently published paper showing an 85% rate resolution when reassessing non-diagnostic nodules 3.…”

“…In practice, this interval is often hard to follow due to patients and/or physician anxiety, but should be an important strategy to lower the number of indeterminate nodules in the repeat diagnoses. However, for non‐diagnostic biopsies, studies show no difference in diagnostic yield between cases reassessed before or after the 3‐month interval, which might indicate a prompt repeat aspiration in such cases, decreasing patient anxiety.…”

Should we wait 3 months for a repeat aspiration in non‐diagnostic/indeterminate thyroid nodules? A cancer centre experience

“…Although initially proposed that early repeat aspiration would have results hindered by reactive/reparative changes, 21 recent literature suggests that a 3-month waiting period is probably not necessary for resampling, with no difference whatsoever on the resolution rate. [22][23][24][25] More specifically, recent recommendations proposed by the second edition of the TBSRTC and the American Thyroid Association Guidelines, both of which are widely adopted in Latin America and our institution, state that an interval for rFNA of less than 3 months does not seem to increase the frequency of atypical results. These guidelines also state that when the clinical and ultrasound features are suspicious, an earlier rFNA may be advisable.…”