Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Nodules Compared to Pathology Results in Medical Centers, Gorgan, Iran (2020-21)

Thyroid masses are one of the most common reasons for patients to visit endocrinology clinics. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is used to reduce thyroid surgery for benign lesions. This study was done to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FNA of thyroid mass(s) compared with histological results in Medical Centers, Gorgan, Iran.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 102 patients (12 males and 90 females) were diagnosed with a thyroid mass and referred for surgery to Medical Centers, Gorgan, Iran during 2020-21. FNA was performed, and the samples were sent to the pathology department for examination. The result of cytology was recorded in the checklist. According to cytology results, some patients were referred for surgery. Then, the surgical pathology results were compared with the cytology findings. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of the results of the cytology of thyroid masses were calculated compared to the results of pathology.

FNA, mass size, and the patient’s main complaint had a significant relationship with histological results (P<0.05). According to FNA findings compared to pathology, sensitivity was 74%, specificity was 88.1%, positive predictive value was 88.1%, negative predictive value was 74%, false positive rate was 12%, false negative rate was 26%, and accuracy was 80.4%.

FNA remains a key tool in evaluating thyroid nodule(s). Improving FNA techniques is necessary to increase the accuracy of FNA.