Fine-Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis of Thyroid Diseases: An Appraisal in Our Institution

Abstract

Objective and Aims. In the last two decades, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid has been introduced as the most reliable and cost-effective method for diagnosing of clinically important thyroid disorders. The aim of our study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of FNAC in our center. Materials and Methods. Thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of 1639 patients from October 2007 to September 2011 was evaluated in our center. Only patients which had a solitary or multiple thyroid nodules were selected for FNA. The FNAC results are classified as benign, malignant, suspicious, and unsatisfactory. From above patients, 192 (11.7%) cases underwent surgery, and histopathologic examination was performed. By comparing the FNAC reports with the corresponding histopathologic results, the accuracy of thyroid FNAC was determined. Results. According to FNAC diagnostic criteria, there were 1054 (64.3%) benign cases, 128 (7.8%) malignant, 306 (18.66%) suspicious and 151 (9.2%) inadequate for diagnosis. In 192 cases, which underwent surgery, FNAC reports were compared with histopathologic results and statistical indices were calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 91.6%, 100%, and 97%, respectively. These findings strongly support that FNAC as a useful technic for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid lesions. Conclusion. This technique is easy to perform, cost effective, minimally invasive with few complications. FNAC has high sensitivity in diagnosis of thyroid malignancy and also has high diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of thyroid disorders.