Comparing pre-operative fine needle aspiration cytology to paraffin section post-operative for solitary thyroid nodule

Abstract

Solitary thyroid nodule (STN) is a single swelling in the thyroid tissue that is radiologically remarkable from the rest of thyroid parenchyma. Clinically palpable nodules are experienced in about 8% of the adult population, with the utilization of imaging procedures specially ultrasound; the possibility of recognition of thyroid nodules has significantly increased. The pre-operative assessment of thyroid nodules is crucial to differentiate between benign and malignant nodules. FNAC is the gold standard technique in the assessment of thyroid nodules; it is described as quick, reliable, cost effective and minimally invasive procedure. According to many studies it has led to significant decrease in surgical procedures of the patients with thyroid nodules; however it shares to an increase in percentage of thyroid surgeries with malignant lesions The aim of this study was to correlate the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to histopathological assessment in diagnosis of solitary thyroid nodules. In the current study, 30 patients were included. All of them had a symptomatic solitary thyroid nodule, they underwent pre-operative FNAC for the thyroid lesion and post-operative histopathological assessment of the excised specimen, our results shows that Solitary thyroid nodules occurred more frequently in females with a ratio (M: F is 1:5). The youngest patient being 18 years old and oldest being 63 years old, Majority of the patients were in the age group of 31-40 years at presentation.