ArticleBMC endocrine disorders2025
Do stylet needles improve diagnostic accuracy in thyroid fine-needle aspiration? A retrospective analysis.
Article in BMC endocrine disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundCompared to syringe needles, stylet needles are hypothesized to enhance the specimen adequacy of thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) by potentially minimizing blood contamination. However, this hypothesis lacks robust evidence for substantiation. Additionally, the substantially higher cost of stylet needles (often several orders of magnitude greater than syringe needles) raises concerns about increased procedural expenses. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of thyroid FNA using stylet versus syringe needles in a large cohort.
methodsThis retrospective analysis included 4793 FNA procedures (2088 using stylet needles and 2705 using syringe needles) performed by five operators. The primary outcome was specimen adequacy. Secondary outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).
resultsNo significant differences were found between stylet and syringe needle FNA for specimen adequacy (85.34% vs. 87.13%), sensitivity (95.24% vs. 96.99%), specificity (78.57% vs. 78.05%), diagnostic accuracy (93.96% vs. 95.07%), PPV (98.16% vs. 97.52%), or NPV (57.89% vs. 74.42%). Performance metrics for both methods were also not significantly different within each operator's data.
conclusionThis study found no significant benefit of stylet needles over syringe needles regarding specimen adequacy or diagnostic yield in thyroid FNA. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
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