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Complications following ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of thyroid nodules: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Objectives

To identify the complication rate associated with US-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) of thyroid lesions using a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Ovid-MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for studies on US-guided CNB of thyroid lesions from 1 January 1994–13 December 2016. A review of 393 potential papers identified 39 eligible papers including 14,818 patients. The pooled proportions of complications were assessed using random-effects modelling. Subgroup analysis was performed. Among-study heterogeneity was explored using χ2 statistic for pooled estimates and inconsistency index I2. Quality of the studies was evaluated using the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies.

Results

The pooled proportion of overall complications after CNB of thyroid lesions was 1.11% (95% CI: 0.64–1.51, I2: 87.2%). The pooled proportion of major complications (0.06% [95% CI: 0.02–0.10], I2: 0.0%) was much lower than that of minor complications (1.08%[95% CI: 0.63–1.53], I2: 93.17%). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences between studies on Asian versus non-Asian groups (p=0.7769), radiologist versus non-radiologist groups (p=0.8607), nodule size <20 mm versus nodule size ≥20 mm (p=0.1591) groups, CNB versus CNB-plus-FNA groups (p=0.9281) and studies performed before and after 2012 (p=0.6251). The overall quality of the included studies was moderate with all of the studies satisfying five or more of the eight total domains.

Conclusion

Various complications can occur after US-guided CNB of thyroid lesions. However, the procedure is safe, with a low complication rate.

Key Points

• Various complications occurred after CNB of thyroid lesions, but the pooled complication rate was low (1.11%, I 2 = 87.2%).

• The pooled proportion of major complications (0.06%) was much lower than that of minor complications (1.08%).

• There was no significant differences between studies on Asian vs. non-Asian groups, radiologist vs. non-radiologist groups, nodule size <20 mm vs. nodule size ≥20 mm groups, CNB vs. CNB-plus-FNA groups, or studies performed before 2012 vs. after 2012.

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Abbreviations

CI:

Confidence interval

CNB:

Core needle biopsy

FNA:

Fine-needle aspiration

US:

Ultrasound

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Funding

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

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Author notes

  1. Eun Ju Ha and Chong Hyun Suh contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Wonchon-Dong, Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon, 443-380, Korea

    Eun Ju Ha

  2. Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 138-736, Republic of Korea

    Chong Hyun Suh & Jung Hwan Baek

  3. Department of Radiology, Namwon Medical Center, 365, Chungjeong-ro, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do, 590-702, Republic of Korea

    Chong Hyun Suh

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  1. Eun Ju Ha
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Correspondence to Jung Hwan Baek.

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The scientific guarantor of this publication is Jung Hwan Baek.

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The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

Chong Hyun Suh performed statistical analysis for this paper.

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Written informed consent was not required for this study because this study was designed as a systematic review with meta-analysis.

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Institutional Review Board approval was not required because this study was designed as a systematic review with meta-analysis.

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• systematic review with meta-analysis

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Ha, E.J., Suh, C.H. & Baek, J.H. Complications following ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of thyroid nodules: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Radiol 28, 3848–3860 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5367-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5367-5

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