A clinico – pathological study of patients undergoing thyroidectomy in a rural tertiary care center of northern Kerala

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the clinical profile of patients undergoing thyroidectomy and to determine its association with FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) and histopathological report; and to compile a statistical data on the percentage of various malignancies and benign conditions of thyroid in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. This was a prospective study conducted in a rural tertiary care centre among the patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Minimum sample size was estimated to be 110. Convenience sampling technique was adopted and data was collected using pretested semi-structured questionnaire with the help of interviews, clinical examinations and investigation reports. Data was analyzed using SPSS trial v25. Mean age of those who underwent thyroidectomy was 44.81 years. 96% were females. Most common clinical diagnosis was multinodular goiter (80%). Malignancies constituted 4%. Most common diagnosis as per FNAC was Colloid goiter (73%). There was statistically significant association of clinical diagnosis with, FNAC findings and with postoperative histopathological examination. As per the present study, efficacy of FNAC to differentiate malignant lesions was 100%. Most common malignancies were: Papillary Ca and Follicular Ca. Among benign lesions, colloid goiter was most common. Clinically, 4% thyroid cases were identified as malignancies, which were consistent with findings of FNAC and post-operative HPE reports. With efficacy of 100% in the present study, FNAC stands as an important premanagement investigation; hence the study recommends FNAC mandatorily with or without other investigation such as radiological features.