Publication:

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (pre-operative) and histopathological (post-operative) correlation in thyroid swellings

Background Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is one of the most important pre-operative procedures used in the primary diagnosis of thyroid swelling. Even if non-surgical and non-invasive techniques can provide a diagnosis, the ultimate answer rests in the histopathological examination of the surgically excised thyroid tissue. A correlation of both FNAC and HPE though can help predict outcomes and may be helpful to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures for benign conditions. The purpose of this study was to establish a cyto-histological correlation and to evaluate accuracy of FNAC in diagnosing thyroid lesions.

Methods The study was carried out over a period of three years between September 2017 to September 2020 prospective study in which 38 cases were taken who eventually underwent thyroid surgery. A cyto-histological correlation was made between the pre-operative FNAC and the post-operative HPE report. These reports were correlated and conclusions drawn after statistical analysis.

Results Cyto-histological correlation was done and overall accuracy was 94.7%. Majority of cases were non-neoplastic, peak age of incidence was in third and fourth decade and there was female predominance.

Conclusions It was observed that FNAC is a very reliable test having high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in diagnosing thyroid swellings which is also a simple, safe and cost effective modality in investigation.