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Assessing the efficacy of core needle biopsies in the diagnostic workup of thyroid nodules

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 August 2025

Andrew Lotfallah Open the ORCID record for Andrew Lotfallah [Opens in a new window] ,
Alica Torres-Rendon ,
Lavandan Jegatheeswaran Open the ORCID record for Lavandan Jegatheeswaran [Opens in a new window]  and
Basavaiah Natesh
Andrew Lotfallah*
Affiliation:
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, UK
Alica Torres-Rendon
Affiliation:
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, University Hospital (Coventry), Coventry, UK
Lavandan Jegatheeswaran
Affiliation:
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, Warwick Hospital, Warwick, UK
Basavaiah Natesh
Affiliation:
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, University Hospital (Coventry), Coventry, UK
*
Corresponding author: Andrew Lotfallah; Email: a.lotfallah@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of core needle biopsy in the diagnostic workup of thyroid.

Methods

All patients referred to the thyroid multidisciplinary team who underwent core needle biopsy as part of their diagnostic workup were identified for analysis. Data was collected from initial fine needle aspiration cytology to final multidisciplinary team outcome for patients assessed between December 2022 and April 2024.

Results

Data on 50 patients with thyroid nodules who underwent core needle biopsy was collected. A definitive diagnosis of malignancy was reached in 6.0 per cent (n = 3) of cases through core needle biopsy. Most patients (n = 39, 79.6 per cent) were offered diagnostic hemithyroidectomy after having had core needle biopsy. There was an average of 40 days between multidisciplinary team decision to offer core needle biopsy and decision to offer diagnostic surgery.

Conclusion

The value of offering core needle biopsy in all initially graded Thy3a fine needle aspiration biopsies is limited. Its potential benefit in progressing patient management requires further evaluation and its ongoing use should be determined on a case-by-case basis following multidisciplinary team discussion.

Keywords

thyroid glandpathologydiagnosisbiopsy

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , First View , pp. 1 - 6
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Andrew Lotfallah takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Presented at the British Association of Head & Neck Oncologists (BAHNO) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, 16 May 2025, London UK

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