Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of large thyroid nodules: Core needle biopsy yields more reliable results than fine needle aspiration.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the false negative rate, sensitivity and false positive rate of ultrasound (US)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) with those of US-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) for large thyroid nodules ≥2.0 cm, which reportedly have an increased risk of thyroid malignancy.

Methods: We retrospectively studied surgically confirmed thyroid nodules that had preoperative US-guided FNA or CNB between March 2005 and December 2013.

Prevalence and significance of carotid plaques in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Background And Objectives: Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) has recently been recommended as a non-invasive tool for primary prevention of cardiovascular events; the association between CIMT and adverse cardiovascular events is well-known. We sought to evaluate the prevalence and significance of carotid artery plaque, especially in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Subjects And Methods: The study population consisted of 1,705 consecutive patients {933 males (54.