A meta-analysis of comparing fine-needle aspiration and frozen section for evaluating thyroid nodules

The literature on comparing fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and frozen section for evaluating thyroid nodules was reviewed. Publications on this subject were divided into three groups (follicular lesions, non-follicular lesions and thyroid lesions, not otherwise specified). A meta-analysis was done to compare sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values between FNA and frozen section diagnoses. For follicular lesions, FNA was much more sensitive but less specific, with lower positive predictive value than frozen section. FNA and frozen section are virtually identical in all parameters of accuracy in evaluating thyroid nodules that are not follicular lesions. The third group of publications that did not separate/specify follicular lesions from non-follicular lesions was non-contributory.