The office assessment of common thyroid disorders by thyroid aspiration biopsy.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a safe and cost-effective technique in the assessment of many thyroid disorders and, with practice, is within the capabilities of most practitioners. It is especially of value in the evaluation of nodular thyroid disease and can significantly reduce the need for thyroid surgery. Diffuse enlargement of the gland can also be evaluated by this method, and sero-negative chronic thyroiditis is frequently identified in goitrous subjects by this technique.