Table 2.

Nodules distribution according to the American Thyroid Association classification and nodule dimension (larger diameter was considered) ATA1, benign, purely cystic nodule; ATA2, very low suspicion; ATA3, low suspicion; ATA4, intermediate suspicion; ATA5, high suspicion.

	Nodule larger diameter
	< 5 mm (n = 93)	5-10 mm (n = 10)	> 10 mm (n= 3)
ATA1 (n = 66)	64 (69%)	2 (20%)	0
ATA 2 (n = 11)	8 (8%)	1 (10%)	2x (67%)
ATA 3 (n = 15)	9 (10%)	5 (50%)	1* (33%)
ATA 4 (n = 11)	10 (11%)	1 (10%)	0
ATA 5 (n = 3)	2 (2%)	1 (10%)	0

Percentages are referred to the total number of nodules with the same diameter; x one of these nodules was subjected to fine needle aspiration because of uncertain intra- or extra-thyroidal position (final citology: non-diagnostic, with high parathormone levels on washing liquid, suggestive for hypertrophic parathyroid); ^*subjected to fine needle- aspiration (final citology: low-risk indeterminate lesion).