Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the management of thyroid nodules.

A prospective study was carried out of 136 patients with thyroid nodules. In all of the cases, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology was used in the clinical management. Of the specimens taken, 129 were satisfactory for cytology; 5 were clearly malignant and the diagnosis was confirmed during surgical operation. The diagnosis of follicular neoplasm or "suspicious for malignancy" was made in 29 patients. Operations were done in 21; adenoma was found in 15, cancer in 2 and multinodular goiter in 4. The cases in which a benign diagnosis was made are being followed clinically. From these data and a review of the literature, a plan for the management of patients with thyroid nodules can be outlined. FNA biopsy of the thyroid is an excellent method for eliminating unnecessary operations in patients with thyroid nodules.