Abstract
Fine-needle aspiration （FNA） of thyroid nodules is useful for distinguishing between malignant and benign nodules. However, this examination has problems with the rate of insufficient materials and the risk of complications. Previously, it was reported that a new device for FNA consisting of a vibrating linear resonant actuator improved the inadequacy rate while reducing the risk of complications. We have been using the new device since October 2022, and retrospectively examined the background of the cases, the inadequacy rate and the complications by comparing the results with those of our hospital’s conventional method.
We performed FNA on 227 nodules by this new method and 196 nodules by the conventional method from August 2021 to November 2023. The inadequacy rate of the new method was 10.6％ and that of the conventional method was 19.9％. The rate was improved, and the background of the cases between the new method and the conventional method had no difference. In addition, no significant complications were observed, demonstrating the usefulness of the new FNA device.
