A Retrospective Study of Correlation of Ultrasonogram And Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology In Diagnosis of Thyroid Lesions

Abstract

Background: Thyroid nodules are common in iodine-deficient regions of India and usually present as palpable swellings. Most are benign, but about 4–5% are malignant.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 100 patients who underwent thyroid USG followed by FNAC. USG findings, FNAC findings, and relevant data were recorded from the laboratory Information system. The USG findings were compared with the FNAC results to determine the level of diagnostic concordance.

Results: In this study(n=100), according to FNAC, 94% patients had non-neoplastic lesions, 6% had neoplastic lesions comprising 2% follicular neoplasm,1% suspicious for malignancy and 3% papillary carcinoma. On USG, 87% cases were non-neoplastic, and 13% comprised 7% follicular adenoma,6% suspicious for malignancy. The correlation of USG with FNAC revealed that of the 5% cases identified as moderate to highly suspicious for malignancy on USG, 2 were diagnosed as follicular lesions on FNAC and subsequently confirmed as benign (follicular lesions) on histopathological examination (HPE). The remaining 3 cases, identified as malignant (Papillary carcinoma) on FNAC, were confirmed as malignant (Papillary carcinoma) on HPE. One case, which was diagnosed as mildly suspicious on USG, was diagnosed as suspicious for malignancy on FNAC, which was diagnosed as benign (colloid goitre) on HPE.

Conclusion: USG and FNAC are highly effective diagnostic modalities for evaluating thyroid nodules and identifying suspicious lesions. This strategy allows for more accurate exclusion of malignancy, thereby reducing the need for unnecessary surgical interventions.