Approach to the Patient with a Thyroid Nodule - Flowchart
Approach to the Patient with a Thyroid Nodule - Flowchart
«Flowchart»

EVALUATION OF THYROID NODULES DETECTED BY PALPATION OR IMAGING

EVALUATION OF THYROID NODULES DETECTED BY PALPATION OR IMAGING

EVALUATION OF THYROID NODULES DETECTED BY PALPATION OR IMAGING

Diagnostic US

Diagnostic US

Diagnostic US

History, physical examination, TSH

History, physical examination, TSH

History, physical examination, TSH

Normal or high TSH

Normal or high TSH

Normal or high TSH

Low TSH

Low TSH

Low TSH

Nodule(s) detected on US
Do FNA based on US imaging features and size

Nodule(s) detected on US
Do FNA based on US imaging features and size

Nodule(s) detected on US
Do FNA based on US imaging features and size


Evaluate and Rx for hyperthyroidism

Evaluate and Rx for hyperthyroidism

Evaluate and Rx for hyperthyroidism

Radionuclide scanning

Radionuclide scanning

Radionuclide scanning

Nodule not functioning

Nodule not functioning

Nodule not functioning

Hyperfunctioning nodule

Hyperfunctioning nodule

Hyperfunctioning nodule

End

End

End

Results of FNA cytology

Results of FNA cytology

Results of FNA cytology

Repeat US-guided FNA

Repeat US-guided FNA

Repeat US-guided FNA

Follow

Follow

Follow

Consider molecular testing

Consider molecular testing

Consider molecular testing

Repeat US-guided FNA or consider molecular testing

Repeat US-guided FNA or consider molecular testing

Repeat US-guided FNA or consider molecular testing

Pre op US for LN assessment

Pre op US for LN assessment

Pre op US for LN assessment

Nondiagnostic

Nondiagnostic

Nondiagnostic

Close follow-up or surgery

Close follow-up or surgery

Close follow-up or surgery

Surgery

Surgery

Surgery

Bethesda System Cytology Reporting

Bethesda System Cytology Reporting

Bethesda System Cytology Reporting

Nondiagnostic

Nondiagnostic

Nondiagnostic

Malignant

Malignant

Malignant

Suspicious for PTC

Suspicious for PTC

Suspicious for PTC

Follicular neoplasm

Follicular neoplasm

Follicular neoplasm

Atypia or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS)

Atypia or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS)

Atypia or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS)

Benign

Benign

Benign

Surgery if indicated with pre-op US for LN assessment

Surgery if indicated with pre-op US for LN assessment

Surgery if indicated with pre-op US for LN assessment

Surgery if indicated with pre op US for LN assessment

Surgery if indicated with pre op US for LN assessment

Surgery if indicated with pre op US for LN assessment