OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) and intraoperative frozen section examination (IFSE) on thyroid nodules. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 470 patients who underwent thyroidectomy. FNA was performed on 289 patients and IFSE on 326. The FNA and IFSE results were compared with the final histologic diagnosis obtained after examination of permanent sections. RESULTS: The overall FNA sensitivity was 65%, specificity 88% and positive predictive value 61%. The IFSE sensitivity was 50%, and the specificity and positive predictive value were 100%. When both procedures were used together, FNA identified 16 of 45 (36%) carcinomas as malignant and an additional 13 (29%) as follicular proliferative lesions; IFSE correctly identified only 23 of 45 (51%) carcinomas. CONCLUSION: FNA provides enough information for determining the extent of thyroid surgery when a diagnosis of cancer is made. However, IFSE should be considered a supplementary procedure when FNA is not positive for cancer.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) and intraoperative frozen section examination (IFSE) on thyroid nodules. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 470 patients who underwent thyroidectomy. FNA was performed on 289 patients and IFSE on 326. The FNA and IFSE results were compared with the final histologic diagnosis obtained after examination of permanent sections. RESULTS: The overall FNA sensitivity was 65%, specificity 88% and positive predictive value 61%. The IFSE sensitivity was 50%, and the specificity and positive predictive value were 100%. When both procedures were used together, FNA identified 16 of 45 (36%) carcinomas as malignant and an additional 13 (29%) as follicular proliferative lesions; IFSE correctly identified only 23 of 45 (51%) carcinomas. CONCLUSION: FNA provides enough information for determining the extent of thyroid surgery when a diagnosis of cancer is made. However, IFSE should be considered a supplementary procedure when FNA is not positive for cancer.