Thyroid nodules are common among adults over the age of 60 years, with a prevalence of 50–70% (1, 2). Moreover, the incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States has increased by 211% between 1975 and 2013 (3), due to both an improved detection of small (<2 cm) thyroid nodules by thyroid ultrasonography and a true increase in thyroid cancer incidence (4). Nevertheless, the vast majority (85–95%) of thyroid nodules are benign (5). For this reason, the ability to distinguish between benign and malignant nodules is important in order to spare patients unnecessary diagnostic surgery.