Fine-needle aspiration in the work-up of thyroid nodules.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is the crucial diagnostic test used for the evaluation of patients with a thyroid nodule. The result of an FNA determines if a patient can be followed with repeated examinations or referred for surgery. The value of FNA can be enhanced by attention to technical details. Communication between operator and pathologist is essential. A pathologist's interpretation is aided if essential clinical information is provided on a requisition form. Although reporting terminology has been varied and confusing in the past, a proposal for a uniform reporting system provides 6 clearly defined and clinically relevant reporting categories and promises to standardize the reporting of thyroid FNA results. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.