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Benign thyroid nodule follow-up — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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ModerateAmbulatory Medicine / Primary CareBenign thyroid nodule follow-upUSMLE Step 3

A 52-year-old woman had fine-needle aspiration of a 1.8-cm thyroid nodule showing benign cytology. Thyroid-stimulating hormone is normal. She has no compressive symptoms and no suspicious lymph nodes. Which of the following would you recommend at the follow-up visit?

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Correct answer: C — Repeat neck ultrasonography at an interval based on ultrasound risk pattern

Benign thyroid nodules are followed with ultrasound based on sonographic risk; surgery is reserved for suspicious, symptomatic, or growing nodules in selected cases.

Reference: American Thyroid Association thyroid nodule guideline