title: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and thyroid disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fine-needle aspiration represents a critical diagnostic test in determining proper management of thyroid disease and the use of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (USGFNA) has increased over the years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing USGFNA. Two hundred fifteen patients underwent 234 procedures with 362 nodules aspirated within a 2 (1/2)-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ages of women and men were 51.9 and 57.8, respectively. The average size of nodules was 2.1 cm. A difficult to assess gland or nodule was the most common indication for USGFNA (33%). The sensitivity was 88.2%, specificity was 80.0%, the PPV was 65.2%, the negative predictive value was 94.1%, and the accuracy was 82.5%. The cancer yield, inadequacy, and complication rates were 44%, 10.5%, and 8.5%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  USGFNA aspiration is a safe and effective diagnostic modality in the management of thyroid disease, especially for nodules that are difficult to palpate.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors: K A
authors: KA
authors: Newkirk
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Ringel
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Jelinek
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mark
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Wartofsky
authors: Z E
authors: ZE
authors: Deeb
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: Sessions
authors: K D
authors: KD
authors: Burman
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*