Comparison of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology with Histopathology in Assessment of Thyroid Nodules
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76i1.9339Keywords:
Concordance, Discordance, Thyroid Cytopathology, Thyroid NoduleAbstract
Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in distinguishing benign nodules from malignant thyroid nodules, keeping histopathology as a gold standard.
Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Histopathology and Cytopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Apr to Oct 2022.
Methodology: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and histopathology reports of a total of 56 patients with thyroid nodules were analysed. Variables like the age of the patients and the qualitative variables like gender, benign or malignant thyroid nodules on FNAC and histopathology were measured and diagnostic accuracy was calculated. Concordance and discordance rates were also estimated by comparing histopathology and cytology reports.
Results: The results of our study were analysed in four groups. On cytology and histopathology, both concordant lesions with malignant and benign features displayed malignant and benign characteristics, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in our study was 87.50%, with 72.72% sensitivity and 91.11% specificity. In our study, 87.5% (n=49) cases showed significant concordance between benign and malignant lesions, both on FNAC and histopathologic findings. The discordance rate between malignant and benign lesions were also reviewed. Discordant cases 12.5% (n=7) were mostly because of the sampling errors and artifacts in smears preparation and staining. A few discordan cases showed observer bias errors as well.
Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration cytology is a reliable predictor of malignancy and will help to reduce unnecessary radical thyroid surgeries in benign thyroid nodules.
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