The diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration biopsy for thyroid nodules

ABSTRACT Introduction: Thyroid nodules are frequently observed in population. 5-10% of these are malign. As more acute information is obtained with FNAB about thyroid nodule pathology, it is more frequently used. In this study, we aimed to determine the sensitivity and the specificity of FNAB. Material and Methods: 354 patients have been retrospectively examined for demographic observations, physical examination, preoperative radiology, laboratory observations, preoperative FNAB results, operation and postoperative histopathologic analyses results obtained after thyroidectomy following thin needle aspiration biopsy performed on the patients applying to our clinic between January 2006 and March 2013. Observations: In our study, 266 (75,2%) of our patients were women, while 88 of them (24,8%) were men. The mean ages were respectively 44.44±13.71(12?87) and 48.76±12.58 (21?81). Thyroid nodules were palpated in 232 (65,6%) patients during physical examination in preoperative period, while it was not palpated in 122 patients (34,4%). In neck examination, cervical lymphadenopathy has been palpated in 5 (1,4%) patients. In ultrasonography, while more than one nodule have been detected in thyroid tissue in 284 (80,2%) patients, solitary nodules have been detected in 70 (19,8%) patients. 263 (74,2%) of these were euthyroid, 34 (9,6%) were hypothyroid and 57 (16,2%) were hyperthyroid. The results of the patients undergoing FNAB were as follows: benign in 283 (79,9%) patients, malign in 38 (10,7%) patients, unknown atypical in 22 (6,2%) patients and insufficient material in 11 (5,2%) patients. Following the FNAB, bilateral total thyroidectomy has been performed on 337 (95,1%) patients, lobectomy in 6 (1,8%) patients and supplementary thyroidectomy in 11 (3,1%) patients. The postoperative histopathologic observations have been reported as malign in 57 (16,2%) patients and benign in 297 (83,8%) patients. Results: Unrecommended thyroid surgery may be prevented by doing malign and benign lesion separation using. FNAB is the most reliable method for the diagnosis of thyroid malignities. Key Words: Thyroid FNAB, Thyroid nodules