The radiologist and the cytologist in diagnosing thyroid nodules: results of cooperation.
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of cooperation between the radiologist and the cytopathologist in ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid nodules.


METHODS
Since 1995, FNAB of thyroid nodules at our department has been performed under ultrasound guidance by the radiologist with a cytopathologist present on-site. The results of ultrasound-guided FNAB procedures performed at our department in 1995, 1999, and 2005 were retrospectively evaluated and compared with those of other departments in the Trieste Province where thyroid nodules are sampled by palpation-guided FNAB performed by a clinician.


RESULTS
From 1995 to 2005, the number of ultrasound-guided FNAB procedures performed at our department rose steadily, whereas the number of inadequate samples fell progressively. In patients who underwent surgery, the number of discrepancies between the cytological findings and the final histological diagnoses decreased progressively.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound-guided FNAB performed by the radiologist with a cytopathologist present on-site is superior to palpation-guided FNAB. The results are optimised by cooperation between the radiologist and cytologist.
Stacul
F
F
UCO di Radiologia, Università di Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 449, I-34149 Trieste, Italy. fulvio.stacul@aots.sanita.fvg.it
Bertolotto
M
M
Zappetti
R
R
Zanconati
F
F
Cova
M A
MA
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010336:Pathology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011871:Radiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography