AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between preoperative thyroid fine-needle aspiration result and final histopathology in patients with thyroid nodules. METHODS: The medical records of 298 patients (mean age, 47.7±12.3 years; 79.5% females) who underwent fine-needle aspiration for thyroid nodules and who were operated and have final pathological diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. For reporting fine-needle aspiration specimen pathology, the Bethesda thyroid fine-needle aspiration classification was used. Tyroglobulin (Tg) and anti-Tg and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody levels were determined preoperatively. RESULTS: Thyroid nodules were non-diagnostic, benign or atypia (Bethesda groups 1-3) in 76.8% of patients; and follicular neoplasm, suspicious for malignancy or malignant (Bethesda groups 4-6) in 23.1% of patients. Final pathology of surgery specimen was most commonly nodular goiter (36.6%) and papillary carcinoma (35.6%). Nodular goiter was significantly more prevalent in Bethesda 1 group while papillary carcinoma was more common in Bethesda 3 group (P<0.05). Tg level is significantly higher in the nodular goiter group (90.49±126.93 ng/mL), while anti-Tg and anti-TPO levels are significantly higher in the lymphocytic thyroiditis goiter group (229.77±494.42 U/mL and 282.86±360.77 U/mL, respectively) than the other pathology groups (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Papillary carcinoma is more common in Bethesda thyroid fine-needle aspiration classification 3 group. Therefore, preoperative fine-needle aspiration for thyroid nodules is predictive of final pathology and should be applied for diagnosis and follow-up.
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between preoperative thyroid fine-needle aspiration result and final histopathology in patients with thyroid nodules. METHODS: The medical records of 298 patients (mean age, 47.7±12.3 years; 79.5% females) who underwent fine-needle aspiration for thyroid nodules and who were operated and have final pathological diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. For reporting fine-needle aspiration specimen pathology, the Bethesda thyroid fine-needle aspiration classification was used. Tyroglobulin (Tg) and anti-Tg and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody levels were determined preoperatively. RESULTS: Thyroid nodules were non-diagnostic, benign or atypia (Bethesda groups 1-3) in 76.8% of patients; and follicular neoplasm, suspicious for malignancy or malignant (Bethesda groups 4-6) in 23.1% of patients. Final pathology of surgery specimen was most commonly nodular goiter (36.6%) and papillary carcinoma (35.6%). Nodular goiter was significantly more prevalent in Bethesda 1 group while papillary carcinoma was more common in Bethesda 3 group (P<0.05). Tg level is significantly higher in the nodular goiter group (90.49±126.93 ng/mL), while anti-Tg and anti-TPO levels are significantly higher in the lymphocytic thyroiditis goiter group (229.77±494.42 U/mL and 282.86±360.77 U/mL, respectively) than the other pathology groups (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION:Papillary carcinoma is more common in Bethesda thyroid fine-needle aspiration classification 3 group. Therefore, preoperative fine-needle aspiration for thyroid nodules is predictive of final pathology and should be applied for diagnosis and follow-up.