A Thyroid Cytology Experience: The Comparision of Cytological and Histopathological Findings

Aim: Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a common technique used for the follow-up and diagnosis of nodules. FNAC is used for differentiating between benign and malignant lesions preoperatively, and therefore, is helpful to determine the type of surgery. The aim of this study is to screen cases that have been evaluated for thyroid cytology and thyroid surgery specimens in our department, and to investigate the experience of the diagnosis using thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology. Materials and Methods: In the present study, thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology and surgery specimens obtained from 213 cases that were diagnosed in our pathology department in 2012 were screened retrospectively. Results: One hundred seventy-seven patients out of 213 were female. Seventy-seven cases were diagnosed with benign cytology on fine needle aspiration cytology. In the histopathological examination of surgical specimens, benign lesions were identified in 63 cases and malignant lesions were identified in 8 cases. According to the histopathological examination of 42 cases that had malignant cytology, 22 cases were diagnosed with papillary carcinoma, and 6 cases were diagnosed with well-differentiated tumor of uncertain malignant potential. When the findings of FNAC and histopathology were compared, the specificity was 75.9%, sensitivity was 73.3%, and the test validity was 75.2%. Conclusions: The present study supports the notion that fine needle aspiration cytology is a reliable tool for the evaluation of thyroid lesions and the management of patients who are considered for surgery due to complaints of mass lesions. Key Words: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology; Histopathology; Thyroid.