Cyto-morphologic spectrum of thyroid lesions in children

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is routinely used in triaging thyroid lesions in adults. However, role of FNA in pediatric thyroid lesions is less studied.

To study the cyto-morphologic spectrum of thyroid lesions in pediatric population.

A retrospective analysis (duration-6 years) of thyroid FNA for patients who were 18 years or younger was conducted. The aspirates were classified according to the Bethesda System for Reporting Cytopathology.

A total of 2716 thyroid aspirates were reviewed, out of which 327 (12%) were pediatric thyroid FNAs performed on 301 patients. Of these 256 (85%) were females and 45 (15%) were male patients. Aspirates were classified as follows: Nondiagnostic-30 (10%), Benign-260 (86%), Atypia of undetermined significance-6 (2%), Suspicious of follicular neoplasm-0 (0%), Suspicious of malignancy-0 (0%), Malignant-5 (2%). Out of the 253 benign lesions, 153 (58%) were spectrum of colloid goitre, 106 (42%) were Lymphocytic thyroiditis and 1(0.5%) was granulomatous thyroiditis (0.5%).

Thyroid disorders are fairly common in children. Majority of these are benign in nature of which most common are spectrum of colloid goitre. With the benefits of being a noninvasive procedure and cost effective, FNA is a reliable method for screening and diagnosis of thyroid lesions in pediatric population.