Table 3.

Recommendations on thyroid nodule biopsy based on the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Associazione Medici Endocrinologi, and EuropeanThyroid Association medical guidelines for clinical practice for the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules^[3]

FNB is recommended for nodule/nodules
Of diameter larger than 1.0 cm that is solid and hypoechoic on US
Of any size with US findings suggestive of extracapsular growth or metastatic cervical lymph nodes
Of any size with a patient history of neck irradiation in childhood or adolescence; PTC, MTC, or MEN 2 in first-degree relatives; previous thyroid surgery for cancer; increased calcitonin levels in the absence of interfering factors
Of diameter smaller than 10 mm along with US findings associated with malignancy; the coexistence of 2 or more suspicious US criteria greatly increases the risk of thyroid cancer
FNB is not recommended for nodule/nodules hot on scintigraphy
For solid cystic nodules, FNA the solid areas and aspirate cystic areas for cytology
In the presence of suspicious lymph nodes, FNA the node as well as the thyroid nodule