Fine-needle aspiration in the work-up of thyroid nodules.
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is the crucial diagnostic test used for the evaluation of patients with a thyroid nodule. The result of an FNA determines if a patient can be followed with repeated examinations or referred for surgery. The value of FNA can be enhanced by attention to technical details. Communication between operator and pathologist is essential. A pathologist's interpretation is aided if essential clinical information is provided on a requisition form. Although reporting terminology has been varied and confusing in the past, a proposal for a uniform reporting system provides 6 clearly defined and clinically relevant reporting categories and promises to standardize the reporting of thyroid FNA results.
Cibas
Edmund S
ES
Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ecibas@partners.org
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery