If there is suspicion of a thyroid carcinoma, it can be beneficial to carry out a fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a non-enhancing nodule. Tissue is removed and examined under a microscope for possibly tumorous thyroid cells. It is advantageous to determine the current coagulation status before carrying out the aspiration biopsy.
During the fine-needle aspiration biopsy, you lie on your back. The aspiration biopsy is not any more painful than venous blood sampling and takes less than a minute. After an explanation, you sign a patient consent form. The tissue biopsy is carried out using a syringe with a max. 0.9-millimetre-thin needle, using sonographic testing. Afterwards, you must put pressure on the puncture site for ten minutes using a swab.
Patients with existing anticoagulation with Marcumar must stop taking their medication one week prior to the fine-needle aspiration biopsy and change to a low-molecular-weight heparin. If an acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Thrombo ASS) is currently taken, it should not be taken on the day of the planned fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
The total duration of the fine-needle aspiration biopsy, including the explanation and signing the patient consent form, is around 15 minutes.
A small, localised haematoma sometimes but rarely forms at the puncture site, especially if insufficient pressure was put on the puncture site with the swab. A haematoma like this is not dangerous and disappears after a few days. Localised inflammation at the puncture site is extremely rare.