title: A comparison of the results of monolayer versus smear cytopreparatory techniques for fine-needle aspiration in 100 consecutive patients undergoing thyroidectomy: a surgeon's perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) using monolayer (MT) versus conventional smear (CS) cytopreparatory techniques with final histology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 100 consecutive thyroidectomies. Setting Tertiary care university affiliated medical center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  26% of MT aspirates were inadequate compared with 3% of CS aspirates (P < 0.05). The negative predictive values for MT and CS were 86% and 100%, respectively. The positive predictive values for MT and CS were 69% and 90%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fewer inadequate specimens will be obtained with CS than with MT. A clinician performing FNA can obtain adequate specimens at a rate comparable to that of a hospital-based cytopathologist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CS provides greater assurance to the patient and the surgeon that a thyroid nodule with a FNA interpreted as benign can be observed. A higher percentage of patients with malignant tumor will receive thyroidectomy with the use of CS technique for FNA.
  
  
  METHODS
  B-3.
authors.affiliation: Section of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Head and Neck Oncology, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, CHristiana Care Health Services, Newark, Deleware, USA. RobertLWitt@aol.com
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Witt
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy