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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Published on: November 10, 2014
[Needle aspiration cytology in euthyroid uninodular goiter]
J A Pérez1, R Pisano, C Kinast
1Instituto de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile.
Insights
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a valuable diagnostic tool for thyroid nodules, showing high sensitivity and specificity. This method can significantly reduce unnecessary surgical interventions for euthyroid uninodular goiter.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Cytopathology
Context:
- Thyroid nodules require accurate diagnosis to differentiate benign from malignant conditions.
- Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a minimally invasive procedure for thyroid nodule evaluation.
- Distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules is crucial for appropriate patient management.
Purpose:
- To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in patients with euthyroid uninodular goiter (EUG).
- To determine the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC compared to surgical biopsy.
- To assess the potential of FNAC in reducing surgical interventions for thyroid nodules.
Summary:
- A prospective study involved 87 patients with EUG, with 61 undergoing surgical biopsy.
- FNAC results were compared with histopathological findings: sensitivity was 86% and specificity was 93%.
- The study demonstrated FNAC's effectiveness in diagnosing thyroid nodules, with a low rate of false negatives and false positives.
Impact:
- FNAC is a reliable and accurate method for diagnosing thyroid nodules, second only to surgical biopsy.
- The findings suggest FNAC can significantly decrease the number of patients requiring surgery for benign thyroid conditions.
- This enhances diagnostic efficiency and patient care in thyroid nodule management.
Abstract:
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been shown to be second only to surgical biopsy for demonstration of malignancy in thyroid nodules. A prospective study of FNAC for euthyroid uninodular goiter (EUG) was conducted between January 1987 and June 1990, totaling 87 patients of which 61 were submitted to surgical biopsy. FNAC in the latter were interpreted as benign in 41 cases, suspected malignancy in 8, and definitely malignant in 7. The remaining 5 smears were considered technically inadequate for diagnosis. In 39 of the 41 patients with a benign (negative) cytology result, the histopathological diagnosis confirmed the absence of a neoplastic process (2 false negatives). In 12 of the 15 patients with a suspected malignant (positive) cytology result, a subsequent histopathological report confirmed a neoplastic process (3 false positives). Thus FNAC had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 93%. We conclude that FNAC is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of erythroid goiter and could help reduce significantly the number of patients who need to be surgically intervened.
