title: Cytopathologists can reliably perform ultrasound-guided thyroid fine needle aspiration: a 1-year audit on 3715 consecutive cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In our Pathology Department, fine needle aspiration (FNA) of palpable thyroid nodules is performed by cytopathologists who ensure correct sample management and rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). Conversely, ultrasound (US)-guided FNAs have traditionally been carried out by endocrinologists and radiologists in outside clinics, where the presence of a cytopathologist is not always feasible. To overcome this limitation, cytopathologists have started to perform US-guided FNAs themselves. This study retrospectively evaluates 1 year of this novel practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2225 US-guided FNAs were performed in our clinic by cytopathologists, whereas 1490 aspirates were taken by a group of non-cytopathologists. Among these, 756 FNAs were taken by a single experienced endocrinologist. The distribution of the Bethesda classification categories was evaluated in each of these groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FNAs performed by cytopathologists were more often diagnostic and better prepared than those taken by non-cytopathologists, including those taken by the experienced endocrinologist (P < 0.01). The latter operator yielded a higher rate of suspicious and malignant FNAs, reflecting a more appropriate clinical triage of worrisome nodules.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the endocrinologist's evaluation is crucial to select clinically relevant thyroid nodules, cytopathologists can reliably perform US guidance in addition to their traditional expertise in sampling, specimen preparation and ROSE.
authors: Department of Public Health, Pathology Division, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bellevicine
authors: Department of Public Health, Pathology Division, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Vigliar
authors: Department of Public Health, Pathology Division, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Malapelle
authors: Department of Public Health, Pathology Division, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Pisapia
authors: Department of Anesthesiologic, Surgical and Emergency Sciences, VII Division of General and Endocrine Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Conzo
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Biondi
authors: Department of Public Health, Pathology Division, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Vetrani
authors: Department of Public Health, Pathology Division, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Troncone
mesh_terms: D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D061765:Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: interventional pathologist; rapid on-site evaluation; thyroid; ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration