Endocrinol Metab.  2017 Dec;32(4):407-412. 10.3803/EnM.2017.32.4.407.

Recent Advances in Core Needle Biopsy for Thyroid Nodules

• Jung CK
• Baek JH

• KMID: 2406183
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2017.32.4.407

Abstract

Core needle biopsy (CNB) was introduced as an alternative diagnostic tool to fine-needle aspiration (FNA), and is increasingly being used in the preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules. CNB provides a definitive diagnosis in most cases, but it sometimes may be inconclusive. CNB has the advantage of enabling a histologic examination in relation to the surrounding thyroid tissue, immunohistochemistry, and molecular testing that can provide a more accurate assessment than FNA in selected cases. Nevertheless, CNB should be performed only by experienced experts in thyroid interventions to prevent complications because CNB needles are larger in caliber than FNA needles. As recent evidence has accumulated, and with improvements in the technique and devices for thyroid CNB, the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology released its 2016 thyroid CNB guidelines and the Korean Endocrine Pathology Thyroid Core Needle Biopsy Study Group published a consensus statement on the pathology reporting system for thyroid CNB in 2015. This review presents the current consensus and recommendations regarding thyroid CNB, focusing on indications, complications, and pathologic classification and reporting.

Keyword

Thyroid nodule; Biopsy, needle; Guideline; Classification; Radiology; Pathology

MeSH Terms

Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Biopsy, Large-Core Needle*
Biopsy, Needle
Classification
Consensus
Diagnosis
Immunohistochemistry
Needles
Pathology
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Nodule*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Examples of core needle biopsy (CNB) in thyroid nodules with initial non-diagnostic fine-needle aspiration cytology. (A) On the ultrasound findings of case 1, there is a well-defined hypoechoic solid nodule with rim calcification. (B) CNB of the nodule shows scanty cellular and sclerotic nodules (H&E stain, ×40). (C) A high-power view shows the typical histologic features of papillary carcinoma (H&E stain, ×1,000). (D) An ultrasound image from case 2 shows a 1.5-cm, ill-defined hypoechoic solid nodule with macrocalcifications. (E) CNB shows marked calcification sclerosis, and focally follicular proliferative lesions (H&E stain, ×40). (F) A high-power view of the follicular lesion shows the histologic findings of papillary carcinoma (H&E stain, ×1,000).

• 

  Fig. 2 Current core needle biopsy technique. (A) The specimen notch shown in ultrasound should include the tumor tissue, tumor capsule, and adjacent normal parenchyma. (B) Histologic examination of the specimen shows the tumor tissue with a microfollicular growth pattern, tumor capsule, and surrounding thyroid tissue (H&E stain, ×40, upper; ×400, lower). This case should be diagnosed as a follicular neoplasm.

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