Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Cytology Quality in Thyroid Nodules with 22-, 23-, and 25-Gauge Needles

摘要

Objective . To compare the cytology quality of ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy in thyroid nodules with 22-, 23-, and 25-gauge (G) needles prospectively. Methods . A total of 240 consecutive nodules underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (USG-FNA) and 240 nodules underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle capillary (USG-FNC) were included in this prospective study from October 2014 to February 2016. Each nodule was sampled using 22?G, 23?G, and 25?G needle according to designed orders, and 1240 smears were finally obtained. Cytology quality was scored by a cytologist blinded to needle selection. Results . In USG-FNA, the average scores and standard deviations were for 25?G needles, for 23?G needles, and for 22?G needles. In USG-FNC, the average scores and standard deviations of each group were for 25?G, for 23?G, and for 22?G needles. The specimen quality scores of 25?G group were significantly higher than that of 23?G group ( ) in both USG-FNA and USG-FNC. However, the differences were not statistically significant in nondiagnostic rate using different gauge of needles ( for all). Conclusions . 25?G needles obtained the highest scores of sample quality in thyroid FNA and FNC comparing with 22?G and 23?G needles. 25?G needle should be first choice of thyroid FNA and FNC in routine work.