Dr. Andre J. Van Herle was one of the pioneers in introducing the efficacy of fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid in the United States.  Currently many of the small nodules can be biopsied with ultrasound guidance. This procedure takes advantage of the high resolution power of modern ultrasound equipment to aid physicians in performing biopsies of the suspected nodules.

Initially many clinicians were hesitant in adopting this refined procedure.  However new evidence is very supportive of the use of this technique. With the assistance of an accomplished ultrasonographer the physician can make very accurate biopsies and attempt to biopsy non-palpable nodules ranging from 5-10 millimeters in diameter.  This would have been virtually impossible otherwise since the limit of palpation of even superficial tumors is about 1 centimeter.