FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY VERSUS FROZEN SECTION BIOPSY IN MANAGEMENT OF THYROID NODULES

Abstract

Background: Thyroid nodules are common clinical finding with a reported prevelalence of 4% to 7%
of adult population. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is important for initial evaluation but has
many falsies. The use of intraoperative frozen section (FS) has been advised. Objectives: This study
was conducted to evaluate the contribution of both techniques (FNAC and FS) in management of
thyroid nodules. Patients and methods: 40 patients with clinically palpable thyroid nodule (s) (37
women and 3 men; mean age, 42years) were included in this study. Preoperative (FNAC) and
intraoperative (FS) diagnosis were performed and compared with the final pathology report using
standard statistical formulas. Results: For FNAC, sensitivity was 58.3%, specificity was 100% and
accuracy was 87.5%. FS sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 75%, 100%, 92.5% respectively.
Conclusion: FNAC is highly accurate and specific in initial evaluation of nodular thyroid diseases but
FS has a significant role during thyroid surgery especially in non diagnostic cases by FNAC and
proved to have high specificity and accuracy