Nerve Injury During Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy—A First Reported Complication of Permanent Vocal Fold Paralysis
Lyndsay L. Madden, Moeko Nagatsuka, Azeem Z. Vasi, Jayesh Madrecha, Libby J. Smith
Abstract
Needle biopsy is a well-established component in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. The biopsy is usually performed with an ultrasound guidance and consists of either fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, their difference is important. To our knowledge, we discuss the first reported case of biopsy-proven laryngeal nerve injury and permanent vocal fold paralysis following ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the thyroid. We advocate this complication be discussed as part of the consent process.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineBiopsyThyroidComplicationParalysisNerve biopsyRadiologyUltrasoundRecurrent laryngeal nerveThyroid nodulesSurgeryVocal cord paralysisInternal medicinePeripheral neuropathyEndocrinologyDiabetes mellitusHead and Neck AnomaliesVoice and Speech DisordersThyroid and Parathyroid Surgery