Correlation between the Bethesda system for thyroid nodules and post-thyroidectomy histopathological diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pathology
• Oncology

Background:

• Thyroid nodules are common, affecting up to 50% of the population.
• Malignancy risk in thyroid nodules ranges from 4% to 15%.
• Fine needle aspiration (FNA) with the Bethesda system is standard for thyroid carcinoma diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the correlation between FNA cytopathology results and histopathology findings after thyroidectomy.
• To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Bethesda system in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, descriptive study design.
• Analysis of 128 thyroid nodules from 128 patients.
• Comparison of FNA cytopathology (Bethesda system) with post-thyroidectomy histopathology.

Main Results:

• Malignancy rates varied by Bethesda category: I (67%), II (14%), III (28% follicular, 15% atypia), IV (36%), V (79%), VI (100%).
• High malignancy rates observed in higher Bethesda categories.

Conclusions:

• The Bethesda system demonstrates a strong correlation with histopathology, confirming its reliability.
• The system provides reproducible results for evaluating and managing thyroid nodules.
• The Bethesda system is an essential tool for pathologists and clinicians in diagnosing thyroid cancer.