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.
Accurso
A
A
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
Rocco
N
N
Palumbo
A
A
Feleppa
C
C
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