FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY IN NODULAR GOITRE

Abstract

Cytologic diagnosis is the most important factor in the treatment of nodular goitre. 170 patients with nodular goitre operated in our clinic between 1990-1994 years were enrolled in this study. 35 patients (20.6%) were male aged between 20-74 years old (45.0 ± 6.2) and 135 patients (79.4%) were female aged between 15-85 years old (36.6 ± 7.1). Total triiodothyronin (T3), thyroxin (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were analyzed and thyroid scintigraphy, thyroid ultrasonography and thyroid aspiration biopsy by 20-21 Gauge needle were performed in all patients in the preoperative period and no complication was seen. Cytologic findings of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FN AB) was divided in four groups: Inadequate aspiration, benign, suspicious malign and malign. Cytologic findings were compared with postoperative histopathologic findings. Inadequate material with FNAB was obtained in 14 patients (8,2%).

Malign histopathological findings were determined in 6 patients; two had suspicious malign findings and four had malign findings in cytoiogical examination. In our study, the accuracy rate was 97.4% (150/154), the specificity rate 97.3% (146/150), the sensitivity rate 100% (4/4), false positivity rate 2.5% (4 cases), false negativity rate 0%.

It is suggested that FN AB in patients with nodular goitre is an easy and trusty method for determination of the patients for operation and the width of operation. We think that FNAB may be used in the cytologic diagnosis of nodular goitre in preoperative period.