title: Thyroid fine needle cytology complicated by recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and unnecessary radical surgery.
abstract: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an important tool in the investigation of thyroid nodules and has few reported complications. We present the first report of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy arising as a complication of thyroid nodule FNAC. This complication led to inaccurate diagnosis and unnecessarily radical surgery, with consequent increased morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, North Hants Hospital, Basingstoke, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hulin
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*