Usefulness of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of non-palpable small thyroid nodules: our growing experience.
OBJECTIVE
Contradictory approaches have been suggested for the management of non-palpable thyroid nodules. The aim of our study is to evaluate indications and limits of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) in the management of non-palpable infracentimetric thyroid nodules.


METHODS
From September 2003 to June 2007 we studied 1043 patients with non-palpable thyroid nodules. We divided our series into three groups according to the diameter of the lesion in order to verify the effectiveness of US-FNAC for lesions <1 cm.


RESULTS
We assessed the cases with satisfactory and unsatisfactory results in the 3 groups into which the sample was divided. Our statistical analysis using the z-test showed there was no significant (p=0.05) difference in the percentage distribution of the unsatisfactory results in the 3 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
FNAC appears to be a useful diagnostic tool also for nodules <1 cm because the percentage of unsatisfactory results is not related to the size of the nodule.
Department of General, Geriatric, Oncologic Surgery and Advanced Technologies, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. atlantis81@libero.it
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D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods*; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography