Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and thyroid disease.
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.
Newkirk
K A
KA
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
Ringel
M D
MD
Jelinek
J
J
Mark
A
A
Wartofsky
L
L
Deeb
Z E
ZE
Sessions
R B
RB
Burman
K D
KD
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*