Fine needle aspiration cytology guided by ultrasound in the diagnosis of subcentimetre thyroid nodules

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the value of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) under ultrasound guidance in diagnosis of thyroid nodules. In a retrospective analysis of FNAB in 1050 cases of patients with 1100 nodules, patients were divided according to the maximum diameter of their nodules into two groups: >1.0 and ≤1.0 cm. The ultrasound-guided FNAB cytology results were compared between two groups.ResultsUltrasound findings showed that among 1100 thyroid nodules, 547 were highly suspicious, 358 were moderately, 175 were low, and 19 were very low. Cytology results showed papillary carcinomas in 453, possible papillary cancer in 126 cases, follicular tumors in 26, suspicious follicular tumors in 6, atypical cells in 7, nodular goiter in 289, colloid in 13, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis in 175, and undiagnosed specimen in 5. Ultrasound diagnosis of thyroid nodules had an overall sensitivity of 86.0 %, and a specificity of 81.9 %. In nodules larger than 1.0 cm, the sensitivity was 92.8 %, and the specificity 92.3 %. In nodules ≤1.0 cm, the sensitivity was 82.4 %, and the specificity was 81.7 %.ConclusionsPatients with highly suspicious thyroid nodules on ultrasonography, regardless of nodule sizes, should receive ultrasound-guided FNAB to confirm their natures and direct clinical managements.

Thyroid nodules’ evaluation by ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration cytology

“…Regarding the sensitivity and specificity of U/S in diagnosing nodule malignancy, this study agrees with Neagoe (2017) who suggested that cervical ultrasound has a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 75.3%. These results also agree with Li et al (2016) who stated that the U/S diagnosis of thyroid nodules had an overall sensitivity of 86.0% and a specificity of 81.9%. Neagoe (2017) showed that FNAC had a sensitivity of 33.3% and specificity of 93.3%.…”

The impact of presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis on diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy in subcentimeter thyroid nodules: A retrospective study from FUSCC

“…Although some studies have demonstrated that US-FNA is a useful tool for subcentimeter nodules with good diagnostic accuracy [9,20,21], the rates of nondiagnostic FNA results were highly variable and ranged between 0.4% and 17.7% [9,[20][21][22][23][24]. ND means that the slide prepared by US-FNA contains inadequate or unsatisfactory contents that can be interpreted by cytopathologists.…”

Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Located in the Thyroid Gland Misdiagnosed With Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…3,6 Histologically, TGDCs are composed of squamous cells. 7 Here, a 65-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital for treatment of thyroid nodes. Fine needle aspiration results showed good differentiation of squamous cells.…”

“…8 Fine needle aspiration does not accurately distinguish follicular adenoma from well-differentiated follicular carcinoma or hyperplastic nodules in the NG. 7 Moreover, the possibility of a nodule developing into a TGDC carcinoma is less than 1%. The vast majority of TGDC carcinomas are papillary carcinomas, and only a small number of TGDC carcinomas are squamous cell or follicular carcinomas.…”