Correlation between Ultrasonography and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) Findings in Patients with Thyroid Lesions

Abstract

Background: Thyroid nodules are common presentation in patients having thyroid disorders. There is approximately 4-5% incidence of clinically apparent thyroid lesions in general populations. Thyroid nodules are about four times more common in females than in males. The present study aims to diagnose the thyroid lesions and evaluate the  correlation between ultrasonography (USG) and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) reports. To determine the sensitivity of ultrasonography in detecting thyroid lesions.

Method: This was hospital based prospective study carried in 94 patients who came to radiology department for USG neck, after clinical examination from medicine, surgery and ENT departments. Those patients with thyroid lesions were followed and advised for USG guided FNAC of thyroid swelling. The patients who were advised for FNAC, and gave consent for procedure were included in the study. The USG guided FNAC was done and was further evaluated by pathologist.        Results: Out of 94 cases, 85 were benign nodules and 9 were malignant nodules by USG which were further confirmed by FNAC with results of 87 benign and 7 malignant. The USG diagnosed the benign thyroid nodule with sensitivity of 96.55% and specificity of 85.71%, positive predictive value 98.82%, negative predictive value 66.67%, accuracy 95.74%. The result revealed that there is a strong relation between diagnoses of benign thyroid lesions by USG and final diagnosis by FNAC (P=0.001). Conclusion: High resolution grey scale imaging features can differentiate benign and malignant lesions. USG is very helpful for FNAC, characterization of nodules and provides differential diagnosis in those patients affecting with thyroid disorders.

Keywords: FNAC, benign thyroid nodules, malignant thyroid lesions, USG