Comparative study of FNAC and histopathology in the diagnosis of thyroid swelling

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of fine needle aspiration cytology indiagnosis and management of thyroid swelling. The study evaluated the predictive value ofPre operative fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in surgical decision making, by comparingthis (FNAC) with the post operative histopathological diagnosis.Ninety patients who underwent thyroidectomy between Jan-2007 to Dec-2008 were analysedin the department of Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh MujibMedical University, Dhaka. All the patients underwent pre operative FNAC were included inthis study.FNAC was accurate in 85 (94.44%) patients. Failure were mainly noted in cases of follicularneoplasm (lesion). Our result indicates that FNAC is helpful in the diagnosis and surgicalplanning of thyroid swelling. However, histopathological analysis is still remaining essential todistinguish follicular adenoma from follicular carcinoma.Key words: FNAC; Histopathology; Thyroid swellingDOI: 10.3329/bjo.v16i1.5779Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 16(1): 35-43