Ultrasonographic and fine needle aspiration cytology correlation of thyroid gland lesions: a study of 100 cases

Abstract

Background: Thyroid gland is unique among endocrine organs as it is the largest endocrine gland in the body and the first to develop in the fetal life. There is approximately 4-5% incidence of clinically apparent thyroid lesions in general population. The goal of USG and FNAC diagnosis work up now is to select those patients for surgery who have a high likelihood of harboring malignancy in the nodule. Ultrasonography is the single most valuable imaging modality in the evaluation of the thyroid gland. Indications for thyroid USG include evaluation for palpable thyroid lesion or suspected thyroid enlargement and workup of thyroid lesions discovered incidentally.The present study is undertaken to evaluate the utility of FNAC in preoperative diagnosis of various thyroid lesions and to evaluate the efficacy of in USG and FNAC differentiating between benign and malignant lesions. Methods: A retrospective clinical study, 100patients, in the age group of equal to or above 18 years, with thyroid swellings, referred to the department of ENT, sent for USG and FNAC at radiology and pathology department during the period from July 2014 to July 2016. Results: Out of 100 cases, 6% were malignant, 94% were benign on grey scale ultrasound. Out of 6 malignant cases 2 cases were confirmed malignant by FNAC. Conclusions: High resolution grey scale ultrasound has emerged as initial imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of patients with thyroid enlargement. Ultrasound can detect solitary nodule, multiple nodules and diffuse thyroid enlargement. It can also differentiate solid and cystic lesions.