Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare fine needle aspiration biopsy results with postoperative pathology results of thyroid nodules.

METHODS: Between October 2015 and July 2016, a total of 83 patients (24 males, 59 females; mean age 43 years; range, 21 to 69 years) who had pressure symptoms or suspected positive or positive cytopathological results for preoperative thyroid carcinoma and scheduled for surgery whose repeated fine needle aspiration biopsy results were not definitive according to the Bethesda system were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: Compared to the postoperative pathology results, fine needle aspiration biopsy yielded 74% sensitivity and 78% specificity. The rate of false-negativity was found to be 22% in our study.

CONCLUSION: Fine needle aspiration biopsy is an accurate, reliable, and useful technique in thyroid nodules.