title: Quantitative cytology and thyroperoxidase immunochemistry: new tools in evaluating thyroid nodules by fine-needle aspiration.
abstract: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of cold thyroid nodules is proposed to be the most useful diagnostic test for deciding which patients need surgery. A retrospective study of standard cytology (SC) performed in 776 patients who had been operated on, showed a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 80%. Quantitative cytology (QC) was carried out with a cell image analyzer, which classified the cases as benign or not benign. In 87 cases, sensitivity and specificity of QC alone were 100 and 76%. When SC and QC were combined, there were no false negative reports. A new monoclonal antithyroperoxidase (TPO) antibody (MoAb47) was tested. The sensitivity and specificity of TPO alone were 97 and 81%. When SC and TPO were combined, specificity rose 90%. As adjuncts to SC, QC and TPO represent useful tools for selecting patients for surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology, Jean-Godinot Institute, Reims, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pluot
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Faroux
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Flament
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patey
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theobald
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Delisle
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007453:Iodide Peroxidase