Comparison on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) and Thyroid Ultrasonography in Management of Thyroid Nodules

Abstract

Introduction: Pathologies of the thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem in Sri Lanka. Clinical assessment, biochemical investigations, ultrasonography, Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and histology are used in their diagnosis. However, histology continues to remain as the gold standard. Accurate diagnoses of thyroid nodules are important in planning management and could result in major catastrophes if diagnosis is incorrect. Objectives:To determine the ability of FNAC and ultrasonography (USS) independently and in combination to distinguish neoplastic nodules of thyroid from non-neoplastic nodules.Methodology: A retrospective cross sectional study involving 73 patients from base hospital Embilipitiya, from 2009 January to 2013December was carried out.Results: Study population was female predominant 70(95.9%) with their age ranging from 17-70 (mean 42.7). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for FNAC were 94.1%, 87.2%, 86.5%, 94.4%, and 90.4% respectively. The corresponding values for ultrasonography were 64.7%, 69.2%, 64.7%, 69.2% and 67.1% respectively. Conclusion:The findings of this study are in keeping with the other studies of this country and the region. In addition FNAC has a higher validity than USS in detection of thyroid neoplasms.