ABSTRACT Approximately 15–30% of all thyroid nodules evaluated with fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) are classified as cytologically indeterminate. The stepwise unraveling of the molecular etiology of thyroid nodules has provided the basis for a better understanding of indeterminate samples and an opportunity to decrease diagnostic surgery in this group of patients. Over the last 15 years, several studies have tested different methodologies to detect somatic mutations (by polymerase chain reaction and next-generation sequencing, for example), and to identify differentially expressed […]

The thyroid gland is fairly homogeneous but nodules are frequent. Nodules greater than 1.0cm are usually palpable, but non-palpable nodules, smaller than 1.0cm are far more frequent. Thyroid nodular disease, the etiology of which is multifactorial, encompasses lesions, from the small incidentaloma to large multinodular intrathoracic goiter. The main diagnostic issues are related to the functional and morphological characterization using TSH measurements and image methods. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is the method of choice to rule out malignancy, the incidence […]

The goal of this work is to determine the role of ultrasonography in the evaluation of thyroid nodules correlating its echographic characteristics to cytological findings. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies were performed after echographic evaluation and classification of 436 nodules. Adequate samples for analysis were obtained in 401 nodules (92%), and echographic/cytological correlation was assessed. The echographic classification allows, through the different characteristics of the thyroid nodules, identifying cystic nodules with solid projections (positive cytology in 23,8%) and solid hipoechoic (40%) […]