Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents

J Pediatr. 2001 Jan;138(1):140-2. doi: 10.1067/mpd.2001.109609.

Abstract

We reviewed the utility of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the management of thyroid nodules in 41 children and adolescents (35 girls; mean age, 13.3 years). Cytologic findings were benign in 30, malignant in 2, suspicious in 6, and insufficient in 3. The malignancy rate was 5%, with no false-negative results. Diagnostic accuracy for FNAB was 87% and inter-observer reliability was 88%. FNAB is safe and highly accurate in the evaluation of thyroid nodules in childhood.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Biopsy, Needle / standards*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • False Negative Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Observer Variation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Thyroid Nodule / classification
  • Thyroid Nodule / pathology*
  • Thyroid Nodule / surgery