Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Jan-Feb;18(1):217-237.
doi: 10.3348/kjr.2017.18.1.217. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

Core Needle Biopsy of the Thyroid: 2016 Consensus Statement and Recommendations from Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology

Dong Gyu Na  1 , Jung Hwan Baek  2 , So Lyung Jung  3 , Ji-Hoon Kim  4 , Jin Yong Sung  5 , Kyu Sun Kim  6 , Jeong Hyun Lee  2 , Jung Hee Shin  7 , Yoon Jung Choi  8 , Eun Ju Ha  9 , Hyun Kyung Lim  10 , Soo Jin Kim  11 , Soo Yeon Hahn  7 , Kwang Hwi Lee  12 , Young Jun Choi  2 , Inyoung Youn  8 , Young Joong Kim  13 , Hye Shin Ahn  14 , Ji Hwa Ryu  12 , Seon Mi Baek  15 , Jung Suk Sim  16 , Chan Kwon Jung  17 , Joon Hyung Lee  18 ; Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) and Korean Society of Radiology
Affiliations
Review

Core Needle Biopsy of the Thyroid: 2016 Consensus Statement and Recommendations from Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology

Dong Gyu Na et al. Korean J Radiol. 2017 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Core needle biopsy (CNB) has been suggested as a complementary diagnostic method to fine-needle aspiration in patients with thyroid nodules. Many recent CNB studies have suggested a more advanced role for CNB, but there are still no guidelines on its use. Therefore, the Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed the present consensus statement and recommendations for the role of CNB in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on evidence from the current literature and expert consensus.

Keywords: CNB; FNA; Thyroid; Thyroid neoplasms; Thyroid nodule.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Core needle device.
A. Stylet and specimen notch (arrows). B. Cutting cannula.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. CNB procedure on US.
A. Insertion of core needle through isthmus. B. Measurement of distance of fire (arrows). C. Firing of stylet. Specimen notch includes nodule, nodule capsule, and small amount of normal thyroid parenchyma. D. Firing of cutting cannula. CNB = core needle biopsy, RLP = right lower pole US = ultrasound
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Nodule in deep posterior portion of thyroid gland.
A. Nodule is located in posterior portion near thyroid capsule. B. Stylet is manually advanced into nodule. C. Then, nodule is elevated with inserted needle. Direction of firing would be changed after adjusting stylet to adopt safer direction. D. Finally, cutting cannula is fired. CNB = core needle biopsy
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Representative microscopic images of core needle biopsy specimens.
A. Paucicellular fibrotic nodule with calcification shows few atypical follicular cells with nuclear atypia and can be diagnosed as papillary carcinoma. Shown at × 12.5 original magnification (left), × 100 original magnification (middle) and × 400 original magnification (right). Hematoxylin and eosin stain was used. B. Core needle biopsy specimen consists of microfollicular proliferative lesion, fibrous capsule, and surrounding normal parenchyma. In high-power view, follicular cells have no nuclear atypia. This case can be diagnosed as follicular neoplasm. Shown at × 40 original magnification (left) and × 400 original magnification (right). Hematoxylin and eosin stain was used. C. Case of classic papillary carcinoma. Specimen shows papillary proliferative lesion with typical nuclear features of papillary carcinoma. Shown at × 12.5 original magnification (left) and × 400 original magnification (right). Hematoxylin and eosin stain was used.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

    1. Pitman MB, Abele J, Ali SZ, Duick D, Elsheikh TM, Jeffrey RB, et al. Techniques for thyroid FNA: a synopsis of the National Cancer Institute Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration State of the Science Conference. Diagn Cytopathol. 2008;36:407–424. - PubMed
    1. Silverman JF, West RL, Finley JL, Larkin EW, Park HK, Swanson MS, et al. Fine-needle aspiration versus large-needle biopsy or cutting biopsy in evaluation of thyroid nodules. Diagn Cytopathol. 1986;2:25–30. - PubMed
    1. Wang C, Vickery AL, Jr, Maloof F. Needle biopsy of the thyroid. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1976;143:365–368. - PubMed
    1. Pisani T, Bononi M, Nagar C, Angelini M, Bezzi M, Vecchione A. Fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy techniques in the diagnosis of nodular thyroid pathologies. Anticancer Res. 2000;20:3843–3847. - PubMed
    1. Gharib H, Papini E, Garber JR, Duick DS, Harrell RM, Hegedüs L, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and Associazione Medici Endocrinologi Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Nodules--2016 Update. Endocr Pract. 2016;22:622–639. - PubMed