Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: To compare the adequacy of 23-, 25-, and 27-gauge needles in the fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules to develop guidelines for the collection of better specimens for cytologic diagnosis.
METHODS: This randomized prospective study included 156 consecutively enrolled patients with 156 nodules. Each nodule was aspirated with a needle of each size. The obtained specimens were analyzed independently by 2 cytopathologists, and adequacy rates were calculated.
RESULTS: In our investigation, there were no statistically significant differences among the adequacy rates achieved with 23-, 25-, and 27-gauge needles (88.5%, 90.4%, and 89.7%, respectively; P > .05). The adequacy rates achieved with all 3 needle sizes in hyperechoic nodules were higher than those in hypoechoic samples (P < .05). Finally, no differences in adequacy for the different needle sizes were observed according to nodule size (P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that fine-needle aspiration biopsy with a 27-gauge needle can aspirate an adequate specimen for cytopathologic diagnosis of thyroid nodules. The likelihood that inadequate materials will be obtained from hypoechoic nodules is higher than that for hyperechoic nodules.
METHODS: This randomized prospective study included 156 consecutively enrolled patients with 156 nodules. Each nodule was aspirated with a needle of each size. The obtained specimens were analyzed independently by 2 cytopathologists, and adequacy rates were calculated.
RESULTS: In our investigation, there were no statistically significant differences among the adequacy rates achieved with 23-, 25-, and 27-gauge needles (88.5%, 90.4%, and 89.7%, respectively; P > .05). The adequacy rates achieved with all 3 needle sizes in hyperechoic nodules were higher than those in hypoechoic samples (P < .05). Finally, no differences in adequacy for the different needle sizes were observed according to nodule size (P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that fine-needle aspiration biopsy with a 27-gauge needle can aspirate an adequate specimen for cytopathologic diagnosis of thyroid nodules. The likelihood that inadequate materials will be obtained from hypoechoic nodules is higher than that for hyperechoic nodules.
摘要：
目的：比较23-，25-，在甲状腺结节细针穿刺活检中使用27号针，以制定收集更好的细胞学诊断标本的指南。
方法：这项随机前瞻性研究包括156名连续入组的156个结节患者。用每种尺寸的针抽吸每个结节。获得的标本由2名细胞病理学家独立分析，并计算了充足率。
结果：在我们的调查中，23-，25-，和27号针头(88.5%，90.4%,和89.7%，分别为；P>.05）。在高回声结节中使用所有3种大小的针头所达到的充足率均高于低回声样本（P<0.05）。最后,根据结节大小，观察到不同大小的针头是否足够（P>.05）。
结论：我们得出的结论是，使用27号针细针穿刺活检可以抽吸足够的标本，用于甲状腺结节的细胞病理学诊断。从低回声结节获得的材料不足的可能性高于高回声结节。
方法：这项随机前瞻性研究包括156名连续入组的156个结节患者。用每种尺寸的针抽吸每个结节。获得的标本由2名细胞病理学家独立分析，并计算了充足率。
结果：在我们的调查中，23-，25-，和27号针头(88.5%，90.4%,和89.7%，分别为；P>.05）。在高回声结节中使用所有3种大小的针头所达到的充足率均高于低回声样本（P<0.05）。最后,根据结节大小，观察到不同大小的针头是否足够（P>.05）。
结论：我们得出的结论是，使用27号针细针穿刺活检可以抽吸足够的标本，用于甲状腺结节的细胞病理学诊断。从低回声结节获得的材料不足的可能性高于高回声结节。
