[Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases]

On 105 patients with thyroid gland diseases thin needle aspiration biopsy was performed. The cytologic examinations proved to be of great importance for the diagnosis of thyroiditis and thyroid cancer. When lymphoid cells were found immunocytochemical examination was made additionally. It allows the differentiation of the subacute thyroiditis from the chronic and recurrent thyroiditis. The thin needle aspiration biopsy is practically a harmless manipulation. The great frequency of the asymptomatic chronic thyroiditis and of thyroid gland cancer supports the recommendation of a wider application of the method in all patients with thyroid gland diseases.