Abstract:
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Introduction: A thyroid nodule is a common presentation of thyroid
disease; the estimated incidence of solitary palpable thyroid nodules in the
adult population of the United States varies between 1% and 10%. Fine
needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the first line diagnostic tool in both
solitary and dominant thyroid nodules.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the role of FNAC in
diagnosing malignancy in solitary thyroid nodule.
Methododology: This descriptive pro and retrospective study about the
role of fine needle aspiration cytology examination in the diagnosis of
solitary thyroid nodule and it`s co-relation with the final histopathological
results.
The study was carried out during the period June 2009-August 2010,
in the three main histopathology laboratories in Khartoum.
Fifty cases of thyroid nodules were studied, thirty eight of them were
retrospective and twelve were prospective. Sensitivity, specificity and
efficiency of the fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosing malignancy
were determined.
Results: The age of the patients ranged between 18 -84 years with a
mean of 47.56 years. The commonest age group was 30 – 40 years (24%).
The M: F ratio was 1:2. The fine needle aspiration cytology results were
malignant in 64% while histopathology results were malignant in 76% with
78% results showing co-relation. In addition to that, cell block results
showing 100% correlation with histopathology results. Fine needle
aspiration cytology sensitivity was 78.3%, specificity 84%, efficiency 80%.
The study showed that follicular carcinoma was the most common
III
diagnosis by fine needle aspiration cytology, it accounts for 32%
followed
by papillary carcinoma 24%. The histopathology results were 24% and
22% for follicular and papillary carcinoma respectively.
Conclusion: When all the findings in the study were compared
together, the efficiency, sensitivity and specificity of the fine needle
aspiration cytology tend to be comparable with other studies, in Sudan and
elsewhere. |