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Comparison of sample adequacy, pain-scale ratings, and complications associated with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules between two radiologists with different levels of experience

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Abstract

This study aimed to assess and compare the sample adequacy, patient pain ratings, and complications associated with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules between two radiologists with different levels of experience. From March 2012 to May 2012, two radiologists performed ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration to diagnose thyroid nodules in consecutive patients using the same techniques. 157 patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 75 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration by an experienced radiologist and group 2 consisted of 82 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration by a less experienced radiologist. The sample adequacy, pain-scale ratings, and complications related to ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration were compared between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in sex, age, nodule size, or location between the two groups. There was no statistical difference (p = 0.710) in the prevalence of adequate cytology between group 1 (94.7 % [71/75]) and group 2 (96.3 % [79/82]). The mean ± standard deviation of pain-scale ratings was 1.99 ± 1.68 in group 1 and 2.30 ± 1.83 in group 2, but there was no statistical difference (p = 0.326). There were no significant complications related to the procedure and no sonographic changes on follow-up ultrasound for either group. The study results demonstrated good outcomes for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules and no statistically significant differences in sample adequacy, pain-scale ratings, or complication rates between two radiologists with different levels of experience.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the 2012 Inje University Research Grant.

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No competing financial interests exist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, 633-165, Gaegeum-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan, 614-734, South Korea

    Yoo Jin Lee & Dong Wook Kim

  2. Department of Pathology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, 633-165, Gaegeum-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan, 614-734, South Korea

    Soo Jin Jung

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  1. Yoo Jin Lee
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  2. Dong Wook Kim
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Correspondence to Dong Wook Kim.

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Lee, Y.J., Kim, D.W. & Jung, S.J. Comparison of sample adequacy, pain-scale ratings, and complications associated with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules between two radiologists with different levels of experience. Endocrine 44, 696–701 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-013-9906-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-013-9906-1

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