Repeat Diagnoses of Bethesda Category III Thyroid Nodules: What To Do Next?

To assess the malignancy rates of thyroid nodules repeatedly classified as Bethesda category III on fine needle aspiration (FNA), and to suggest management guidelines for these lesions.This is a retrospective study that included 395 thyroid nodules categorized as Bethesda III undergone either surgery or ultrasound (US) follow-up. There were 67 nodules classified a second time as Bethesda category III on repeat FNA. We compared malignancy rates, clinicopathologic and ultrasonographic characteristics between direct surgery and repeat FNA groups and between the initial and repeat Bethesda category III groups, each. And in the repeat Bethesda III group, clinicopathologic and US variables were compared between benign and malignant nodules. = 0.007) with a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of 81.6%, 83.3%, 93.0%, 62.5% and 82.1%, respectively.Thyroid nodules with repeated Bethesda category III classification and irregular/microlobulated margins on US are at increased risk of malignancy, and operative management should be considered as opposed to repeat FNA