Fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules.
BACKGROUND
Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) is a routine diagnostic technique for evaluating thyroid nodules. Many reports in adults consider that FNA is superior to thyroid ultrasonography (USG) and radionuclide scanning (RS). Only five studies have been published on FNA of childhood thyroid nodules.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the reliability of FNA in the evaluation and management of thyroid nodules, and compare the results of FNA, USG, and RS with regard to final histopathological diagnosis.


METHODS
FNA was performed in 46 children with thyroid nodules after USG and RS examination. We investigated the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of USG, RS, and FNA in their management.


RESULTS
Six patients who had malignant or suspicious cells on FNA examination underwent immediate surgery. The other 40 patients received medical treatment according to their hormonal status. Fifteen of these nodules either disappeared or decreased in number and/or size. Surgery was performed in 25 patients who did not respond to therapy. Statistical analysis revealed sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values respectively as follows: 60%, 59%, 59%, 15%, and 92% for USG; 30%, 42%, 39%, 12%, and 68% for SC; 100%, 95%, 95%, 67%, and 100% for FNAB.


CONCLUSIONS
FNAB is as reliable in children as in adults for definitive diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Using this technique avoids unnecessary thyroid surgery in children.
Arda
I S
IS
Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fevzi Cakmak caddesi 10. sokak No: 45, 06490 Bahçelievler Ankara, Turkey.
Yildirim
S
S
Demirhan
B
B
Firat
S
S
D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D018265:Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery