Importance of guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for the diagnostics of thyroid nodules - own experience

Abstract

Assuming the cytologic results of group 1 and group 2 were interpreted as being malignant and those of group 3 as being benign, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of usg-FNAC were 90 %, 85 % and 86 % respectively. Comparing the cytologic conclusions between a group of patients with follicular lesions and a subgroup of other lesions a statistically significant difference (p < 0,01) between both subgroups using Fisher's test was found. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy in subgroup of follicular lesions were low (71 %, 63 %, 67 %), while in the subgroup of other lesions were high (94 %, 86 %, 88 %). FNAC can specify the nature of focal lesion with high sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy in the cases of non-follicular lesions. Histological evaluation is required to specification of the nature in cases in which cytology is indicative of follicular proliferation.