Impact of thyroid ultrasonography combined ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy in detection thyroid microcarcinoma: A protocol of systematic review

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the accuracy of thyroid ultrasonography (TUS) combined ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (UGFNAB) for detection of thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC). METHODS: A comprehensive search in PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from the beginning to the June 1, 2020 without language and publication status limitations. Two authors will independently perform articles identification, data extraction and assessment of study quality. Any disagreements will be resolved by discussion with a third author. We will carry out study quality evaluation using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool, and will employ statistical analysis using RevMan V.5.3 and Stata V.12.0 softwares. RESULTS: We will summarize current evidence to investigate the accuracy of TUS combined UGFNAB in detection of TMC. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may provide helpful evidence of TUS combined UGFNAB in detection of TMC. STUDY REGISTRATION: INPLASY202070048.