Clinical complications following thyroid fine-needle biopsy: a systematic review

• Published in: Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) Vol. 71; no. 2; pp. 157 - 165
• Main Authors: Polyzos, Stergios A., Anastasilakis, Athanasios D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2009; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Clinical Trials as Topic; Endocrinopathies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Medical sciences; Postoperative Complications; Thyroid Nodule - complications; Thyroid Nodule - diagnosis; Thyroid Nodule - pathology; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Anatomic pathology; Endocrine gland; Fine needle; Biopsy; Complication; Systematic review; Thyroid gland; Endocrinology
• ISSN: 0300-0664; 1365-2265
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03522.x

Summary Thyroid fine‐needle biopsy (FNB) is a simple, reliable, inexpensive and generally safe diagnostic procedure in the management of thyroid nodules. Post‐FNB local pain and minor haematomas are the most common complications, while serious complications seem to be rare. Given that use of FNB minimizes unnecessary surgery and subsequent operative morbidity and mortality as well as the fact that the majority of FNB complications resolve spontaneously, the overall safety of FNB is not questioned. However, awareness of the potential complications and careful estimation of the risk‐benefit ratio in an individual basis may further decrease the low morbidity of FNB. In this systematic review we tried to collect and summarize all reported clinical complications following diagnostic thyroid FNB, aiming to make physicians aware of possible complications and to provide preventive measures to avoid them.