The false-negative rate of fine-needle aspiration cytology for diagnosing thyroid carcinoma in thyroid nodules.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to define the false-negative rate of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for diagnosing thyroid carcinoma in thyroid nodules <4 cm versus > or =4 cm.


METHODS
Six hundred sixty-two patients with thyroid nodules who underwent FNAC and surgery at our institution were analyzed. The association of predictive factors with thyroid carcinoma was evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and the false-negative rate of FNAC were calculated.


RESULTS
The incidence of thyroid carcinoma was significantly higher in nodules > or =4 cm (24%) compared with nodules <4 cm (12%). The false-negative rates of FNAC were 2% in all nodules and 1.3% and 4.3% in nodules <4 cm and > or =4 cm (p = 0.9), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of FNAC were 90% and 79%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The false-negative rate of FNAC is low for thyroid nodules <4 cm and for nodules > or =4 cm.
Kuru
Bekir
B
Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. bekirkuru2008@hotmail.com
Gulcelik
Nese Ersoz
NE
Gulcelik
Mehmet Ali
MA
Dincer
Halil
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology