Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of scintigraphy, ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration in thyroid nodules and to establish the best diagnostic pathway in detecting thyroid cancer. Method: Two hundred and sixteen patients with thyroid nodules were examined using high-resolution ultrasonography, 99mTc thyroid scintigraphy and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Of these, 113 patients subsequently underwent thyroidectomy. The remaining 103 were followed up for two years without any evidence of malignancy. Results: Cytopathology classified 71% of the aspirate as benign, 3% as positive for malignancy, 21% as suspected neoplasia and 5% as unsatisfactory. Fine- needle aspiration cytology had a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 80%. On ultrasound 33% of malignant nodules were hypo-echoic and on scintigraphy 16% of solitary cold nodules were malignant. Neither test could reliably diagnose thyroid cancer. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology should be the first test performed in euthyroid patients with a thyroid nodule. Scintigraphy and ultrasound imaging should be reserved for follow-up studies and patients who have suppressed levels of thyroid stimulating hormone.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 29-33 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 1 2000 |
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Keywords
- Fi ne-needle aspiration cytology
- Thyroid nodule
- Thyroid scintigraphy
- Ultrasonography
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Are scintigraphy and ultrasonography necessary before fine-needle aspiration cytology for thyroid nodules? / Sankhla, Dilip K.; Hussein, Samir S.; Bererhi, Haddia; El Shafie, Omeima; Woodhouse, Nicholas J.; Nirmala, V.
In: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, Vol. 3, No. 1, 01.04.2000, p. 29-33.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Are scintigraphy and ultrasonography necessary before fine-needle aspiration cytology for thyroid nodules?
AU - Sankhla, Dilip K.
AU - Hussein, Samir S.
AU - Bererhi, Haddia
AU - El Shafie, Omeima
AU - Woodhouse, Nicholas J.
AU - Nirmala, V.
PY - 2000/4/1
Y1 - 2000/4/1
N2 - Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of scintigraphy, ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration in thyroid nodules and to establish the best diagnostic pathway in detecting thyroid cancer. Method: Two hundred and sixteen patients with thyroid nodules were examined using high-resolution ultrasonography, 99mTc thyroid scintigraphy and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Of these, 113 patients subsequently underwent thyroidectomy. The remaining 103 were followed up for two years without any evidence of malignancy. Results: Cytopathology classified 71% of the aspirate as benign, 3% as positive for malignancy, 21% as suspected neoplasia and 5% as unsatisfactory. Fine- needle aspiration cytology had a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 80%. On ultrasound 33% of malignant nodules were hypo-echoic and on scintigraphy 16% of solitary cold nodules were malignant. Neither test could reliably diagnose thyroid cancer. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology should be the first test performed in euthyroid patients with a thyroid nodule. Scintigraphy and ultrasound imaging should be reserved for follow-up studies and patients who have suppressed levels of thyroid stimulating hormone.
AB - Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of scintigraphy, ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration in thyroid nodules and to establish the best diagnostic pathway in detecting thyroid cancer. Method: Two hundred and sixteen patients with thyroid nodules were examined using high-resolution ultrasonography, 99mTc thyroid scintigraphy and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Of these, 113 patients subsequently underwent thyroidectomy. The remaining 103 were followed up for two years without any evidence of malignancy. Results: Cytopathology classified 71% of the aspirate as benign, 3% as positive for malignancy, 21% as suspected neoplasia and 5% as unsatisfactory. Fine- needle aspiration cytology had a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 80%. On ultrasound 33% of malignant nodules were hypo-echoic and on scintigraphy 16% of solitary cold nodules were malignant. Neither test could reliably diagnose thyroid cancer. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology should be the first test performed in euthyroid patients with a thyroid nodule. Scintigraphy and ultrasound imaging should be reserved for follow-up studies and patients who have suppressed levels of thyroid stimulating hormone.
KW - Fi ne-needle aspiration cytology
KW - Thyroid nodule
KW - Thyroid scintigraphy
KW - Ultrasonography
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M3 - Article
VL - 3
SP - 29
EP - 33
JO - Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
JF - Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
SN - 2075-051X
IS - 1
ER -