Jason R. Martin MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Monzer M. Abu-Yousef MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Grant Peterson BA, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Archana T. Laroia MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Andrew Wu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Increasing number of patients including those referred for thyroid & neck biopsies are now put on prophylactic & therapeutic anticoagulants. Withholding anticoagulats is associated with high risk for thrombosis. There are few studies showing the safety of performing fine needle aspiration in anticoagulated patients. Our purpose was to find out if it is safe to perform ultrasound guided aspirations of thyroid & other other neck masses without withholding or altering patients anticoagulation regimen.

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records including medication history, labs, ultrasound exams and reports of 213 consecutive patients who had ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of the thyroid & other neck masses over a period of six months. All biopsies were done using 22 or 25-G needles. Eleven patients had insufficient or incomplete medication records. Of the remaining 202 patients, Forty-nine were taking either aspirin or coumadin. The remaining patients were not anticoagulated.

No clinically significant difference in biopsy related complications were observed between the anticoagulated patients & patients not on anticoagulants.

Fine needle aspiration using ultrasound guidance for thyroid or other superficial neck masses is safe in anticoagulated patients.

In view of the high risk associated with withholding anticoagulation we recommend perfoming ultrasound guided superficial fine needle aspirations regardless of patients' anticoagulation history.

Martin, J, Abu-Yousef, M, Peterson, G, Laroia, A, Wu, A, Safety of Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Thyroid and Other Neck Masses in Anticoagulated Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5009178.html