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The Role of Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology

William J. Frable, MD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1986;112(11):1200-1203.

Abstract
• A series of 960 fine-needle aspiration biopsies of thyroid lesions are reported. The primary indication is the presence of a solitary thyroid mass. Aspiration biopsy is accomplished using a 23-gauge needle and a commercially available syringe pistol equipped with a 20.0-mL syringe. Sensitivity for the presence of a thyroid neoplasm, specificity for the absence of a thyroid neoplasm, predictive value of a positive diagnosis for a thyroid neoplasm, and diagnostic efficiency are all over 90% in this series. Eight percent of the aspirates were unsatisfactory. Use of fine-needle aspiration biopsy for the diagnosis of thyroid conditions reduces thyroid surgery significantly for nonneoplastic disease. It is cost-effective and essentially free of complications.

(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986;112:1200-1203)

Author Affiliations
From the Section of Surgical and Cytopathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Health Sciences Division, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Aug 15, 1986.

Read before the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery, Palm Beach, Fla, May 7, 1986.

Reprint requests to Box 115, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23298 (Dr Frable).

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