Fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid: Correlating suspicious cytology results with histological outcomes

Abstract

Purpose: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) assists the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy. A 'suspicious for malignancy' on FNAC creates a management dilemma. The aims of this study were to investigate the malignancy rate for patients with suspicious cytology, and to describe a management approach for those with a suspicious result. Methodology: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data in an endocrine surgery database was undertaken. Patients undergoing thyroidectomy with preoperative FNAC from 1992 to 2012 were analysed. Results: Preoperative FNAC was undertaken in 2,692 patients, and the FNAC result was 'suspicious for malignancy' in 94 (3.5 %) patients. Of these, 53 (56.4 ..