Office-Based Procedure Adequate for the Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer

Newswise — Ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (US FNA) biopsy of the thyroid gland is an established diagnostic test that is routinely used as the first step in the evaluation of nodular thyroid disease, but usually requires a patient visit to a hospital-based radiologist.

In a new study presented at the 2007 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, researchers conducted a retrospective study of several hundred office-based FNA thyroid biopsies to determine the percentage of times an adequate specimen was obtained for diagnosis of thyroid disease. The results of the analysis, which included 447 procedures, showed that such specimens were obtained more than 92 percent of the time at the initial office visit, saving patients an additional hospital visit for this procedure.

The findings of the study suggest that US FNA can be performed in the office setting at the patient's initial visit with the physician.

Title: Adequacy of Surgeon-Performed, Office-Based US Thyroid FNAAuthors: David L Steward, MD, Toni Marie Robinson-Smith, MD, Yuri NikiforovDate: Sunday, September 16, 10:58 am - 11:06 am

Information for the Media: The AAO-HNS Annual Meeting newsroom will be located in Registration East, Street Level of the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Hours of operation: Saturday, September 15, 12 pm to 5 pm; Sunday - Tuesday, September 16 -18, 7:30 am to 5 pm; and Wednesday, September 19, 7:30 am to 2 pm. The newsroom serves as a work space for credentialed members of the media and credentialed public relations staff. The newsroom is managed and staffed by the AAO-HNS Communications Unit. Please see the AAO-HNS website for media credentialing requirements for the event - http://www.entnet.org/ent-press/online_reg.cfm.

About the AAO-HNSThe American Academy of Otolaryngology " Head and Neck Surgery (http://www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's mission: "Working for the Best Ear, Nose, and Throat Care."