The role of core needle biopsy in the diagnosis of initially detected thyroid nodules: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives

To systematically review the published literature and evaluate the efficacy and safety of core needle biopsy (CNB) for initially detected thyroid nodules.

Methods

The Ovid-MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for studies evaluating CNB for the diagnosis of initially detected thyroid nodules. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate non-diagnostic results, inconclusive results and diagnostic accuracy for a diagnosis of malignancy with CNB. To overcome heterogeneity, multiple subgroup analyses were performed. The complication rate was also evaluated.

Results

Thirteen eligible studies, which included a total sample size of 9,166 patients with 13,585 nodules, were included. The pooled proportions were 3.5% (95% CI 2.4–5.1) for non-diagnostic results and 13.8% (95% CI 9.1–20.3) for inconclusive results. Considerable heterogeneity was observed among the studies in terms of the pooled proportions for CNB (I²=92.9%, 97%). With regard to the diagnostic performance for malignancy, the sensitivity was 80% (95% CI 75–85) and the specificity was 100% (95% CI 93–100). Only two major complications of CNB were observed.

Conclusions

CNB demonstrates a low non-diagnostic result rate and high diagnostic accuracy for initially detected thyroid nodules and a low major complication rate. These findings indicate that CNB may be a feasible diagnostic tool for patients with initially detected thyroid nodules.

Key Points

• CNB demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy for initially detected thyroid nodules.

• CNB demonstrates a low major complication rate.

• CNB may be a feasible diagnostic tool for patients with initially detected thyroid nodules.