Natural History of Cytologically Low-Risk Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules
An erratum to this article was published (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 22 Apr 2025 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
These findings suggest that active surveillance is a safe option for managing TIR3A nodules, particularly when no additional risk factors are present. The study highlights the role of repeat FNAB in reducing unnecessary surgeries and underscores the generally indolent nature of TIR3A nodules.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with TIR3A (low-risk indeterminate) thyroid nodules on fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) performed July 2017–December 2019
- Participants
- 371 patients
- Exposure
- Surgery vs Conservative follow-up
- Surgeryn = 102
- Conservative follow-upn = 269
- Outcome
- Malignancy rate among TIR3A nodules
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Malignancy rate
16.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Repeat FNAB
- Repeat FNAB performed (of 269 followed conservatively)
- 120
- Further patients undergoing surgery after repeat FNAB
- 13
- More definitive diagnosis with repeat FNAB
- 40%
- Increase in malignancy risk with repeat FNAB
- 5%
Nodule size and/or ultrasound (US) pattern in conservatively managed patients (149 without and 66 with FNAB repetition) · median follow-up 3.3 years
- No significant changes in nodule size and/or US pattern
Original publication
Natural History of Cytologically Low-Risk Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 29 January 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →