Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the management of thyroid nodules.
A prospective study was carried out of 136 patients with thyroid nodules. In all of the cases, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology was used in the clinical management. Of the specimens taken, 129 were satisfactory for cytology; 5 were clearly malignant and the diagnosis was confirmed during surgical operation. The diagnosis of follicular neoplasm or "suspicious for malignancy" was made in 29 patients. Operations were done in 21; adenoma was found in 15, cancer in 2 and multinodular goiter in 4. The cases in which a benign diagnosis was made are being followed clinically. From these data and a review of the literature, a plan for the management of patients with thyroid nodules can be outlined. FNA biopsy of the thyroid is an excellent method for eliminating unnecessary operations in patients with thyroid nodules.
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery