title: Clarifying the role of fine-needle aspiration cytologic evaluation and frozen section examination in the operative management of thyroid cancer.
abstract: The final histologic diagnoses of 486 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at UCLA Medical Center from March 1975 to August 1988 were reviewed. There were 146 patients with a diagnosis of thyroid malignant neoplasm. All patients who had preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytologic evaluation, intraoperative frozen section analysis, or both were included in the present study. Carcinoma was diagnosed by frozen section in 87 (69%) of 126 cases. Frozen section analysis was incorrect in 39 (31%) of 126 cases. Fine-needle aspiration was performed in 62 patients. A malignant neoplasm was identified by fine-needle preoperative fine-needle aspiration and intraoperative frozen section analysis, and carcinoma was detected by both methods in 32 (57%) of 56 cases. Fine-needle aspiration cytologic evaluation is extremely valuable in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer and is at least as accurate as frozen section analysis with less morbidity and expense. When fine-needle aspiration demonstrates malignant neoplasm, thyroid resection may be planned with confidence.
authors: Department of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine.
authors: K H
authors: KH
authors: Kopald
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Layfield
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Mohrmann
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Foshag
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Giuliano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery