Fine-needle puncture-aspiration of solitary thyroid nodules. Evaluation over a 5-year period
Molins, L.; Cañadell, A.M.; Rodríguez-Méndez, F.; Galofré, M.
Medicina Clinica 89(10): 401-404
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 3682963 Document Number: 296931
We analyze the results of fine needle aspiration of the solitary thyroid nodules seen during a five-year period. 507 procedures were performed; the material for diagnosis was sufficient in 97.7% of cases and insufficient in 2, 3%. Aspiration yielded the diagnosis in 77% of malignant tumours and in 97.6% of benign nodules. There were two false positives (0.96%) - four when the suspected diagnosis are included (1.9%)-and six false negatives (2.9%). The reliability of aspiration was higher in nodules measuring less than 3 cm than in those of more than 3 cm. Both in the five-year follow-up of the patients with benign disease and in the yearly repeated aspirations no new cases of thyroid cancer were detected. Fine needle aspiration should be the first step in the evaluation of a solitary thyroid nodule, after a careful history and physical examination.