ABSTRACT: University teaching work, whose goal is to contribute to society with high-quality professionals, requires a training process in which learning with effectiveness and autonomy is a central axis in any educational process. What seems like a natural goal to achieve does not always occur spontaneously and successfully. For this reason, teacher training is an opportunity to mediate our students, following intentionally and meaningfully inclusive teaching to promote autonomy in university classes. This paper presents the meaning of mediating teaching from the self-regulation of learning perspective, its relevance, implications, and challenges for autonomous and inclusive learning in university practices. Moreover, we address the importance of promoting an effective involvement of teachers in teaching strategies of self-regulation of learning to their students, which will be helpful to their lives beyond the university classrooms.

RESUMEN: El trabajo docente universitario, cuya meta es contribuir a la sociedad con profesionales de alta calidad, requiere de un proceso formador en que el aprender con efectividad y autonomía es un eje central en todo proceso educativo. Lo que parece una meta natural a alcanzar, no siempre se produce espontáneamente y de manera exitosa. Por ello, el acompañamiento docente es una oportunidad para mediar a la comunidad estudiantil intencionado una docencia inclusiva de manera significativa que aspira a promover el proceso de autonomía desde el aula universitaria. En este artículo presentamos el significado de la docencia mediadora desde la autorregulación del aprendizaje, su relevancia, implicaciones y desafíos para el aprendizaje autónomo e inclusivo en la práctica educativa universitaria y la importancia de promover una implicación efectiva de los docentes en la enseñanza de estrategias de autorregulación del aprendizaje a sus estudiantes, las cuales trascenderán las aulas universitarias proyectándose hacia la propia vida.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é analisar as evidências de validade da Escala de Procrastinação Acadêmica (EPA) em uma amostra de 1979 estudantes de universidades públicas e privadas, matriculados em cursos de graduação distintos, sendo 67% mulheres, com idades variando entre 18 e 68 anos (M = 22,84). A análise de componentes principais indicou dois componentes, validados também pela análise confirmatória, a qual confirmou o ajuste dos dados ao modelo de dois fatores: Procrastinação para o Estudo Diário (a = 0,75) e Procrastinação para o Estudo para Provas (a = 0,73). A consistência interna, estimada pelo alfa de Cronbach, foi de 0,83 para a escala total. Conclui-se que a EPA apresenta propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias, com a sugestão da continuidade de estudos de validade e, também, de avaliação da procrastinação acadêmica em estudantes do ensino superior.

Abstract The objective of this study is to analyze the validity evidence of the Academic Procrastination Scale (APS) in a sample consisting of 1979 students from public and private universities, from different courses, 67% of the students being women, aged 18 to 68 years old (M = 22.84). The principal component analysis revealed two components, also validated by confirmatory analysis, which showed a good overall fit of a two-dimensional model: Daily Study Procrastination (a = 0.75) and Exam Study Procrastination (a = 0.75). Internal consistency was estimated through Cronbach’s alpha, obtaining 0.83 for the total scale. The study concludes that APS has satisfactory psychometric properties and suggests further validation studies and also analysis of academic procrastination in higher education students.

Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar las evidencias de validez de la Escala de Procrastinación Académica (EPA) en una muestra constituida por 1979 estudiantes de universidades públicas y privadas, de diferentes cursos de grado, de los cuales el 67% eran mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 68 años (M = 22,84). El análisis de los componentes principales reveló dos componentes, también validados por el análisis confirmatorio, que mostró un buen ajuste general de un modelo bidimensional: Procrastinación del Estudio Diario (a = 0,75) y Procrastinación del Estudio en Exámenes (a = 0,75). La consistencia interna se estimó mediante el alfa de Cronbach, obteniendo 0,83 para la escala total. Se concluye que la EPA cuenta con propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias y sugiere otros estudios de validación y de análisis de la procrastinación académica en los estudiantes de educación superior.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de parte de um programa para promover a autorregulação da aprendizagem na educação superior. Participaram 26 ingressantes com idade média de 20,65 (DP = 3,35) provenientes de diferentes cursos de graduação de uma universidade pública, os quais participaram de uma atividade não obrigatória, organizada em seis encontros de 90 minutos cada um. Medidas de autorrelato foram aplicadas no pré e pós-teste a fim de comparar as variáveis dependentes: conhecimento das estratégias de aprendizagem, processos de autorregulação da aprendizagem, instrumentalidade percebida, autoeficácia para autorregular-se e para a formação superior. De acordo com a comparação entre o pré e pós-teste, os resultados são favoráveis no pós-teste para as variáveis conhecimento das estratégias de aprendizagem, autorregulação da aprendizagem e autoeficácia para autorregular-se. Esses resultados sugerem que a autorregulação da aprendizagem de ingressantes pode ser potencializada por meio do programa educacional “Cartas do Gervásio ao seu Umbigo”.

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of part of a program aimed at promoting self-regulation learning in higher education. Participants included 26 freshmen with mean age 20.65 (SD=3.35), from several undergraduate courses in a public university. The program was a non-mandatory activity organized in six 90-minute meetings. Self-report measures were applied in the pre and post test in order to compare the dependent variables, which were: knowledge about learning strategies, self-regulation learning strategies, perceived instrumentality, self-efficacy to self-regulate and self-efficacy for higher education. Data from pre and post tests indicate that the results are favorable in the post test for the variables knowledge about learning strategies, self-regulation learning strategies, and self-efficacy to self-regulate. These results suggest that self-regulated learning by freshmen may be increased by the program named “Letters from Gervásio to his navel”.

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia de parte de un programa, para promover la autoregulación del aprendizaje en la Educación Universitaria. El trabajo se realizó con 26 estudiantes con edad promedio entre 20,65 (DP=3,35) provenientes de diferentes cursos de graduación de una universidad pública, los cuales participaron de una actividad no obligatoria, organizada en seis encuentros de 90 minutos cada uno. Medidas de autoinforme fueron aplicadas en el pre y post test, a fin de comparar las variables dependientes: conocimiento de estrategias de aprendizaje, proceso de autoregulación de aprendizaje, instrumentalidad percibida, autoeficacia para autoregulación y para formación universitaria. De acuerdo con la comparación entre el pre y el post test, los resultados son favorables en el post test para las variables conocimiento de estrategias de aprendizaje, autoregulación de aprendizaje y autoeficacia para autoregulación. Estos resultados señalan que la autoregulación del aprendizaje de los ingresantes puede ser potencializada por medio del programa educacional “Cartas de Gervasio a su ombligo”.

ABSTRACT Objective There is no information about the frequency of malignancy specifically in the case of thyroid nodules with highly suspicious sonographic features, but with two fine needle aspiration (FNA) showing benign cytology. This was the objective of the study. Subjects and methods We report the results of 105 patients with thyroid nodules considered “highly suspicious” according to the ultrasonographic classification of American Thyroid Association, in whom FNA revealed benign cytology on two occasions (interval of 6 months). Results Thyroidectomy was performed in 11 cases due to desire of the patient or significant growth of the nodule. In these patients, cytology continued to be benign in 9, was non-diagnostic in 1, and suspicious in 1. Histology revealed papillary carcinoma in only one nodule. In patients in whom a third FNA was obtained for this study (n = 94), cytology continued to be benign in 86, became non-diagnostic in 5, indeterminate in 2, and suspicious in 1. The last 8 patients (with non-benign cytology) were submitted to thyroidectomy and histology revealed malignancy in only one nodule. Conclusion The rate of malignancy found here for nodules with highly suspicious sonographic features, even after two FNA showing benign cytology, was 2%. We believe that in these cases, the continuation of follow-up consisting of ultrasound at intervals of 2 years may still be adequate.

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study, in addition to confirming that therapy with 131I causes oxidative stress, was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with vitamins C and E and selenium on this phenomenon by measuring plasma 8-epi-PGF2a, a marker of lipid peroxidation. Subjects and methods Forty patients with thyroid cancer submitted to thyroidectomy, who received 3.7 GBq 131I after levothyroxine withdrawal, were selected; 20 patients did not receive (control group) and 20 patients received (intervention group) daily supplementation consisting of 2000 mg vitamin C, 1000 mg vitamin E and 400 µg selenium for 21 days before 131I. Plasma 8-epi-PGF2a was measured immediately before and 2 and 7 days after 131I. Results A significant increase in plasma 8-epi-PGF2a after 131I was observed in the two groups. The concentrations of 8-epi-PGF2α were significantly higher in the control group before and 2 and 7 days after 131I. The percentage of patients with elevated 8-epi-PGF2α was also significantly higher in the control group before and after 131I. Furthermore, the increase (percent) in 8-epi-PGF2α was significantly greater in the control group (average of 112.3% versus 56.3%). Only two patients (10%) reported side effects during supplementation. Conclusions Ablation with 131I causes oxidative stress which can be minimized by the use of antioxidants.

This paper analyzes the relationship between homework behavior and academic achievement using a sample of students from the last three years of primary education. The variables associated with student involvement in homework were the amount of homework completed, the time spent on homework, and homework time optimization, while academic achievement was estimated based on the grades in mathematics and foreign language (english). The possible effect of the course and gender when calculating the level of predictive variables concerning the homework on academic achievement was analyzed. The results indicated that the amount of homework done and the optimization of the time dedicated at homework significantly and positively predicted academic performance in both subjects. However, the amount of time spent on homework was not relevant. Finally, while gender was not statistically significant in predicting academic achievement, the course itself was statistically significant: as the course advances the mathematics achievement tends to diminish.

En este artículo se analiza la relación entre la realización de deberes escolares y el rendimiento académico en una muestra de estudiantes de los tres últimos cursos de Educación Primaria. Las variables vinculadas con la implicación de los alumnos en los deberes escolares fueron el número de deberes realizados, el tiempo dedicado a los deberes y el aprovechamiento del tiempo dedicado a los deberes; mientras que el rendimiento académico fue estimado en base a las notas en matemáticas y lengua extranjera (inglés). Se ha tenido en cuenta el posible efecto del curso y del género a la hora de calcular el nivel predictivo de las variables relativas a los deberes sobre el rendimiento académico. Los resultados obtenidos indican que la cantidad de deberes realizados de los prescritos y el aprovechamiento del tiempo predicen positiva y significativamente el rendimiento académico en ambas asignaturas, mientras que la cantidad de tiempo dedicado a la realización de los deberes no es relevante. Finalmente, mientras que el género no resultó significativo en la predicción del rendimiento académico, el curso sí predijo negativamente el rendimiento en matemáticas: a medida que se asciende de curso el rendimiento en matemáticas tiende a disminuir.

Las metas académicas constituyen una de las variables más importantes desde el punto de vista motivacional para explicar las diferentes razones de que los estudiantes se impliquen en las tareas y actividades de aprendizaje. Al mismo tiempo, están relacionadas con distintos patrones de pensamiento, emociones y acciones de los estudiantes y, además, con su logro académico. De ahí la importancia de incrementar los trabajos empíricos en esta área y contar con instrumentos de evaluación que permitan una mayor comprensión de los procesos involucrados en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes, particularmente en la enseñanza superior. Es por ello que en este trabajo se examinan las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario para la Evaluación de Metas Académicas en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios mexicanos. Este instrumento de autoinforme valora la orientación personal de los estudiantes hacia las metas académicas. Para ello, se llevó a cabo un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) con una muestra de 735 estudiantes universitarios mexicanos del área de ingenierías. Los resultados obtenidos corroboran en general la estructura factorial del cuestionario original y garantizan suficientemente la consistencia interna de la escala para emplearla en la investigación dentro del contexto mexicano.

Academic goals are one of the most important variables from a motivational point of view to explain the different reasons and motives of students to get involved in learning tasks and activities. At the same time, academic goals are related to different patterns of thoughts, emotions and actions of students, as well as their academic achievement. Hence, it is important to develop empirical work in this area in order to construct evaluation tools that allow a better understanding of the processes involved in student learning, particularly in higher education. The psychometric properties of the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Academic Goals were examined in a sample of Mexican university students. This self-report instrument evaluates the personal orientation of the student towards academic goals. To achieve this goal, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted, with a sample of 735 Mexican higher education students in the engineering area. Findings corroborate the original questionnaire factor structure and demonstrates reliability for using the scale in the research within the Mexican context.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a utilidade da calcitonina sérica (sCT) pré-operatória em pacientes com doença nodular sem suspeita de carcinoma medular de tireoide (CMT) pela história e citologia. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Antes da tireoidectomia, sCT foi dosada em 494 pacientes com doença nodular, sem história familiar de CMT ou neoplasia endócrina múltipla tipo 2 e sem citologia suspeita para CMT. RESULTADOS: sCT basal foi < 10 ng/ml em 482 pacientes e nenhum possuía CMT. Um paciente com sCT basal > 100 pg/ml realmente possuía CMT. Dos 11 pacientes com sCT basal entre 10 e 100 pg/ml, CMT foi diagnosticado em apenas um. Os dois pacientes com CMT foram submetidos à tireoidectomia total com dissecção eletiva de linfonodos, indicada exclusivamente pela hipercalcitoninemia, e após seis meses apresentaram sCT indetectável. CONCLUSÕES: Em pacientes com doença nodular, mesmo sem história ou citologia suspeitas, a sCT pré-operatória é útil para detecção do CMT esporádico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of preoperative serum calcitonin (sCT) in patients with nodular disease without suspicion of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in history or cytology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: sCT was measured before thyroidectomy in 494 patients with nodular disease who had no family history of MTC or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, and no cytological suspicion of MTC. RESULTS: Basal sCT was < 10 ng/mL in 482 patients and none of them had MTC. One patient with basal sCT > 100 pg/mL had MTC. Among the 11 patients with basal sCT between 10 and 100 pg/mL, MTC was diagnosed in only one. The two patients with MTC were submitted to total thyroidectomy, combined with elective lymph node dissection indicated exclusively based on hypercalcitoninemia, and sCT was undetectable after six months. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative sCT is useful for the detection of sporadic MTC in patients with nodular disease, even in the absence of suspicious history or cytology.

Nódulos tireoidianos são muito frequentes, sobretudo quando se empregam métodos sensíveis de imagem. Embora o câncer seja proporcionalmente raro, sua incidência vem aumentando, especialmente de tumores pequenos, cuja evolução clínica é incerta. A maioria dos pacientes com carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide evolui bem quando adequadamente tratada, com índices de mortalidade similares à população geral. Por outro lado, um percentual não desprezível apresenta recidivas e alguns eventualmente não respondem às terapias convencionais, evoluindo para óbito. Assim, o desafio é distinguir os pacientes merecedores de condutas mais agressivas e, ao mesmo tempo e não menos importante, poupar a maioria de tratamentos e procedimentos desnecessários. Atualizamos o Consenso Brasileiro publicado em 2007, ressaltando os avanços diagnósticos e terapêuticos que os participantes, de diferentes Centros Universitários do Brasil, consideram mais relevantes para prática clínica. A elaboração dessas diretrizes foi baseada na experiência dos participantes e revisão da literatura pertinente.

Thyroid nodules are frequent findings, especially when sensitive imaging methods are used. Although thyroid cancer is relatively rare, its incidence is increasing, particularly in terms of small tumors, which have an uncertain clinical relevance. Most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer exhibit satisfactory clinical outcomes when treatment is appropriate, and their mortality rate is similar to that of the overall population. However, relapse occurs in a considerable fraction of these patients, and some patients stop responding to conventional treatment and eventually die from their disease. Therefore, the challenge is how to identify the individuals who require more aggressive disease management while sparing the majority of patients from unnecessary treatments and procedures. We have updated the Brazilian Consensus that was published in 2007, emphasizing the diagnostic and therapeutic advances that the participants, representing several Brazilian university centers, consider most relevant in clinical practice. The formulation of the present guidelines was based on the participants' experience and a review of the relevant literature.

Tem sido proposto que em pacientes tratados de carcinoma bem diferenciado da tireoide o encontro de valores basais indetectáveis de tireoglobulina (Tg), dosada por ensaios ultrassensíveis, na ausência de anticorpos antitireoglobulina (TgAc), e combinado à ultrassonografia (US) cervical negativa, asseguraria ausência de doença. Reportamos aqui uma série de cinco pacientes com carcinoma bem diferenciado (papilífero), submetidos à tireoidectomia total, com ressecção tumoral aparentemente completa, seguida da ablação de remanescentes com 131I (100-150 mCi), sem metástases distantes na pesquisa de corpo inteiro pós-dose inicial, que, na ocasião em que a recorrência ou persistência tumoral foi detectada, apresentavam Tg basal indetectável (0.1 ng/ml), TgAc negativos e US sem anormalidades. Dois pacientes tinham metástases linfonodais, um tinha mediastinal, outro acometimento ósseo e um recorrência local. Concluímos que mais estudos são necessários para a definição de que pacientes com Tg basal indetectável (sem TgAc) combinada à US sem anormalidades seria suficiente, dispensando testes adicionais.

It has been proposed that, in patients treated for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, undetectable basal thyroglobulin (Tg) levels measured with a highly sensitive assay in the absence of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and combined with negative neck ultrasonography (US) ensured the absence of disease. We report a series of five patients with well-differentiated (papillary) carcinoma submitted to total thyroidectomy with apparently complete tumor resection, followed by remnant ablation with 131I (100-150 mCi), who had no distant metastases upon initial post-therapy whole-body scanning. When tumor recurrence or persistence was detected, these patients presented undetectable basal Tg (0.1 ng/mL) in the absence of TgAb, and US showed no anomalies. Two patients had lymph node metastases, one had mediastinal metastases, bone involvement was observed in one patient, and local recurrence in one. We conclude that further studies are needed to define in which patients undetectable basal Tg (negative TgAb) combined with negative US is sufficient, and no additional tests are required.

O presente trabalho avaliou a eficácia de um projecto de promoção da auto-regulação da aprendizagem em alunos com experiência de insucesso na Universidade. O programa organiza-se em torno de um conjunto de cartas (Rosário, Núñez, & González-Pienda, 2006), que reflectem as experiências de um aluno ao chegar à Universidade. O programa está orientado para capacitar os alunos com um conjunto de estratégias que lhes permitam abordar a aprendizagem de uma forma mais competente. No presente estudo, este programa foi utilizado, pioneiramente, com alunos do 1.º ano com experiência de insucesso. A exemplo de estudos anteriores, os resultados obtidos confirmam, também nesta população de estudantes, a eficácia deste programa no ensino de estratégias de aprendizagem, na promoção da auto-regulação e na diminuição da abordagem superficial. São discutidas as implicações educativas dos resultados, uma vez que estes dados podem ser um importante contributo para o apoio a esta população de estudantes.

In this The present we evaluate the efficacy of an intervention project designed to promote students' self regulated learning experiencing failure in the University. The program is organized around a set of letters (Rosário, Núñez, & González-Pienda, 2006), where a newly come university student's learning experiences are reflected upon. The intervention program is targeted to enable students with a sample of strategies which allow them to approach learning in a more competent way. Students who had experienced failure in the first year of university are the focus of the pioneer study presented here. Data confirm the efficacy of the program in enhancing self-regulation and lowering superficial approach to learning in students experiencing failure as it did in former interventions when used with regular students. Educational implications of the findings are discussed once the data can become invaluable help to support that specific kind of students.

El presente trabajo evaluó la eficacia de un proyecto de promoción de la autorregulación del aprendizaje en alumnos con experiencia de fracaso en la Universidad. El programa se organiza alrededor de un conjunto de cartas (Rosário, Núñez & González-Pienda, 2006) que reflejan las experiencias de un alumno al llegar a la Universidad. El programa está orientado a capacitar los alumnos con un conjunto de estrategias que les permitan abordar el aprendizaje de una forma más competente. En este estudio el programa se utilizó de forma pionera con alumnos del 1er año con experiencia de fracaso. A ejemplo de estudios anteriores, los resultados obtenidos confirman, también en esta población de estudiantes, la eficacia de este programa en la enseñanza de estrategias de aprendizaje, en la promoción de la autorregulación y en la disminución del abordaje superficial. Se discuten las consecuencias educativas de los resultados, una vez que estos datos pueden ser importante contribución para el apoyo a esta población de estudiantes.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência de acromegalia subclínica (na ausência de fenótipo clínico, mas bioquimicamente não controlada) em pacientes com prolactinoma em tratamento com agonistas dopaminérgicos. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Cento e vinte e um pacientes sem fenótipo de acromegalia foram estudados. RESULTADOS: Inicialmente, o diagnóstico laboratorial de acromegalia foi inequívoco (IGF-1 elevado para sexo e idade com nadir do GH > 1 μg/L) em dois pacientes, e provável (IGF-1 elevado com nadir do GH > valor de corte ensaio-específico mas < 1 μg/L) em outro paciente. Em outros dois, esse diagnóstico foi possível (IGF-1 normal com nadir do GH > 1 μg/L). A repetição dos testes seis meses após a suspensão dos agonistas dopaminérgicos confirmou o diagnóstico de acromegalia subclínica (IGF-1 elevado para sexo e idade com nadir do GH > 1 μg/L) em cinco desses pacientes. Os resultados falso-positivos foram excluídos em todos os casos. CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes com prolactinomas, a acromegalia deveria ser investigada não apenas nos casos com fenótipo clínico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of subclinical acromegaly (in the absence of clinical phenotype but biochemically uncontrolled) in patients with prolactinoma during treatment with dopaminergic agonists. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty one patients without a phenotype suggestive of acromegaly were studied. RESULTS: Initially, the laboratory diagnosis of acromegaly was unequivocal (elevated IGF-1 for gender and age with nadir GH > 1 μg/L) in two patients, and likely (elevated IGF-1 with nadir GH > cut-off but < 1 μg/L) in another patient. In two other patients, this diagnosis was possible (normal IGF-1 with nadir GH > 1 μg/L). Repetition of the tests 6 months after withdrawal of the dopaminergic agonist confirmed the diagnosis of subclinical acromegaly (elevated IGF-1 for gender and age with nadir GH > 1 μg/L) in these 5 patients. False-positive results were excluded in all cases. CONCLUSION: In patients with prolactinomas, acromegaly should be investigated not only in cases with a clinical phenotype.

OBJETIVO: Relatar os resultados da repetição da punção aspirativa com agulha fina (PAAF) em nódulos tireoidianos com diagnóstico citológico inicial benigno que apresentam crescimento durante o acompanhamento e/ou características ultrassonográficas suspeitas. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: A amostra consistiu de 456 pacientes com 895 nódulos. A PAAF foi repetida após 12 a 18 meses nos nódulos com características suspeitas, independente de crescimento, e quando apresentaram crescimento significativo. RESULTADOS: Entre os 895 nódulos avaliados, 102 (11,4%) apresentavam características ultrassonográficas suspeitas. A segunda PAAF revelou malignidade em 18 nódulos (17,6%), incluindo 20% (2/10) naqueles com crescimento e 17,4% (16/92) naqueles sem crescimento. De 793 nódulos sem características suspeitas, 76 (9,6%) apresentaram crescimento. Somente um caso (1,3%) de malignidade foi diagnosticado pela repetição da PAAF. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo sugere características ultrassonográficas mais que crescimento como critério para repetição da PAAF em nódulos com diagnóstico citológico inicial benigno.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of repeat fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in thyroid nodules with an initial benign cytological diagnosis that grow during follow-up and/or present suspicious ultrasonographic characteristics. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 456 patients with 895 nodules. FNAC was repeated after 12 to 18 months in the case of nodules with suspicious ultrasonographic characteristics, irrespective of growth, and when the nodules showed significant growth. RESULTS: Among the 895 nodules examined, 102 (11.4%) presented suspicious ultrasonographic characteristics. The second FNAC revealed malignancy in 18 (17.6%) nodules, including 20% (2/10) of those showing growth and 17.4% (16/92) that did not. Seventy-six (9.6%) of 793 nodules without suspicious characteristics presented growth. Only one case (1.3%) of malignancy was diagnosed by repeat FNAC. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests ultrasonographic characteristics rather than growth as a criterion for repeat FNAC in the case of nodules with an initial benign cytological diagnosis.