[Results of fine needle aspiration biopsy, frozen section diagnosis and definite histological results in thyroid pathology. Report of 163 cases].

INTRODUCTION: In thyroid diseases, the place of fine needle aspiration biopsy still continues to be discussed: the sensibility and specificity vary greatly in the literature. Frozen section diagnosis is necessary to form a diagnostic strategy. The objective of this study was compare the results of fine needle aspiration biopsy, frozen section diagnosis, and definitive histologic results in a population of 163 patients and to draw conclusions about treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1994 to 1999, 163 patients (132 females and, 31 males) undergoing thyroid surgery were included in this retrospective study, after a standard preoperative work-up. Those with a single palpable nodule and hypofixation on scintigraphy underwent fine needle aspiration before surgery. These results were compared with the definitive histologic results.

RESULTS: A loboisthmectomy was performed in 88 cases (54%), a subtotal thyroidectomy in 34 cases (21%), and a total thyrodectomy in 41 cases (25%). In the latter group, an associated neck dissection was performed in 18 cases (11%); a frozen section diagnosis was obtained in all cases of thyroid nodules. This study demonstrated a single nodule in 97 cases (60%), multiple nodules in 27 cases (17%), multinodular goitre in 34 cases (21%), and 5 Basedow diseases (3%). Sixty-two cases (38%) of thyroid nodules underwent fine needle aspiration before surgery. In 25 cases (15%), definitive pathology showed a malignant lesion. The frozen section diagnosis had a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 99%, and the fine needle aspiration biopsy had a sensitivity of 40% and a specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSION: The authors propose fine needle aspiration biopsy in the following cases: a single palpable nodule and hypofixation on scintigraphy or a surgical contra indication; and direct surgery in symptomatic thyroid disease or if there are one or several full nodules > 2 cm. In near future, these indications will be modified with the increasing reliability of fine needle aspiration biopsy.